New Delhi: Delhi Police has invoked the stringent Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act against two alleged traffickers to weaken the network of active drug distributors operating in the city.Under the Act, a suspect can be preventively detained for up to 12 months without trial, making it significantly difficult for an alleged drug trafficker to get bail. The provision is approved by an advisory board that includes high court judges.The accused have been identified as Vijay Kumar, a 47-year-old resident of Nand Nagri, and Vikas, a 29-year-old from Najafgarh. Both have been lodged in Tihar Jail following detention orders. According to police, the detention orders were issued on Feb 26 under Section 3(1) of the Act after authorities examined the criminal history and alleged continued involvement of the two men in narcotics trafficking. The proposals for preventive detention were prepared by the anti-narcotics task force (ANTF) of the crime branch and forwarded to the PITNDPS division of the revenue department under the Union finance ministry.“Kumar has a criminal history dating back to 1992 and is listed as a ‘bad character’ at Nand Nagri police station. He has been involved in around 50 criminal cases, including offences related to murder, snatching, excise violations and drug trafficking,” said DCP (ANTF) Rahul Alwal. Kumar’s involvement in the narcotics trade first surfaced in 2007, when he was arrested in a case registered at Nand Nagri police station. More recently, he was arrested by ANTF last year, when 726 grams of heroin was found on him and his associates in a case registered by the crime branch.“The second accused, Vikas, entered the drug trade in recent years. He first came under the scanner in 2022, when he was arrested with 54 grams of amphetamine in a crime branch case that also invoked provisions of Foreigners Act,” said Alwal. “He was again arrested by ANTF last year, when 61 grams of MDMA was seized from him and his associates.”Police said both men were detained under PITNDPS Act to prevent them from continuing their alleged involvement in illicit drug trafficking.Along with strict legal action against traffickers, police are also identifying and initiating proceedings to seize properties allegedly acquired through the proceeds of drug trafficking as part of the ongoing crackdown.
