Major Drug Cartel Leader Captured in Madhya Pradesh's Satna

A man was detained on Thursday in Madhya Pradesh's Satna district for allegedly running a drug cartel and smuggling contraband worth over Rs 5 crore from Uttar Pradesh into the state's Vindh region over the past two years, according to a police official. Shailendra Singh was apprehended within the Civil Lines police station limits, stated additional superintendent of police Vikram Singh Kushwaha.

Drug Seizure and Arrests

On July 12, Singhpur police intercepted a pick-up vehicle arriving from Uttar Pradesh in Satna. They seized 7,200 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine phosphate, a narcotic substance valued at Rs 12.25 lakh, as per the additional SP. At that time, Diwakar Patel was arrested, while three others—Badal Singh, Ashok Gautam, and Amit Gupta—managed to escape.

Kingpin Identified

The investigation revealed that Shailendra Singh was the mastermind behind the operation. "Our probe found the kingpin was Shailendra Singh, who had pumped in drugs worth Rs 5.35 crore in the Vindh region from UP in the last two years," Kushwaha informed. Singh has been charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Drugs Control Act, and Section 111 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita for organised crime.

Minister's Denial

Meanwhile, MP Minister of State for Urban Development Pratima Bagri denied allegations linking her family to Shailendra Singh. "Shailendra Singh is not my relative. My name is unnecessarily being connected to him. He the accused is actually Kshatriya by caste. We are not Kshatriya but Bagri. I have nothing to do with him," she stated. Bagri, who is also a BJP MLA from Raigaon SC reserved seat in Satna, added, "Police must take strict action. I will provide all help to police."

The arrest of Shailendra Singh marks a significant step in curbing drug trafficking in the region. Authorities continue their efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects involved in this extensive smuggling network.