Drug trafficker who used kids as carriers arrested in Noida

A man wanted in several cases of drug trafficking, who employed minors and differently-abled people in the illicit trade, was arrested in Gautam Buddh Nagar, the police said on Tuesday. Police have recovered 5.2 kg ganja and Rs 22,300 cash from his possession.

The accused, identified as Prakash Sahay, was a resident of JJ Colony Sector-9, Noida. He is also one of the main drug suppliers in the district who went into hiding after his aides were held with 100 kg of cannabis in September, the police said.

Manoj Pant, the station house officer of Sector 20 police station, said the accused was held Monday night from a public park in Sector 10.

"Acting on a tip-off that Prakash would come to Noida to sell weed on his scooty, we formed a team and laid a trap nearby in Noida Sector-10 area," he said, adding that the accused attempted to run away but was overpowered by the policemen.

"Police seized Rs 22,300 from the accused's possession and impounded a two-wheeler in the action," Pant said.

The official said that Sahay confessed to procuring cannabis from Delhi and having a network of slum-dwellers including old women, children and differently-abled people working for him.

"He would lure, and sometimes force poor people including children and differently-abled into his business of drug supplying," Inspector Manoj Kumar Pant said.

The accused has been booked under the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, he said.

In an early morning action in September, Sahay's aides were arrested by Sector 20 police station team led by Pant while transporting 100 kg cannabis into the city even as he had managed to escape.