Siliguri, 12th January: A major cocaine racket operating under the guise of a textile business was uncovered in Siliguri. The accused, identified as Sartaj Ali, alias Ali Bhai, was caught with 93 grams of cocaine.
Ali, a resident of the Dangipara area under Ward No. 06, was arrested for operating an illegal drug business under the pretense of operating a textile business. Acting on a tip-off, the Special Task Force (STF) and Khalpara Outpost police launched a joint operation that led to the arrest.
Sources revealed that for a long time, Ali had managed to deceive authorities by conducting his drug trade masked under a legitimate clothing business. The STF and Khalpara police raided Ali’s residence where they uncovered the drug racket. Along with the cocaine, ₹1 lakh in cash was also seized from his home.
Reportedly, Ali sourced the cocaine from external suppliers, repacked it at his residence, and sold it within the city. The accused was presented in Siliguri Court on Sunday. The police have launched an investigation to identify others involved in the narcotics trade, and further inquiries are ongoing.