Jodhpur — After a string of unsuccessful attempts over the last 10 months, the Anti‑Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) arrested one of Rajasthan’s most‑wanted drug traffickers from Jodhpur on Friday, officials said. The accused has been identified as Shyamsundar, also known as Sanwararam or Sanwaria, 32, who was reportedly carrying a reward of ₹1 lakh and listed under the Narco‑25 list of high‑priority targets.
Investigators outline long criminal history, interstate network
Inspector‑General (ANTF) Vikas Kumar said the accused has been involved in drug trafficking and related criminal activities for around 15 years, and faces roughly 15 cases across the state. The registered offences include violations under the NDPS Act and the Arms Act, and allegations of assault, theft, attempt to murder and firing at police, according to the police statement.
ANTF officials described Sanwaria as a trafficker who built an interstate supply chain after learning the trade from two alleged operators, identified in records as Birdaram and Govardhan. Initially active around the Rajasthan–Madhya Pradesh border, his network is said to have widened after contacts in Jaisalmer connected him with sources in the Northeast.
- Reward on head: ₹1 lakh;
- Duration of alleged criminal activity: about 15 years;
- Cases registered: approximately 15, including NDPS and Arms Act offences.
Investigators suspect he became a link in a supply chain reaching parts of Manipur and the Aizawl region of Mizoram, and that he began sourcing larger consignments of opium from the Northeast after mid‑2026, the police account said.
Violence and evasion: why he was a priority target
What set Sanwaria apart for investigators, ANTF officials said, was his alleged operational pattern of moving consignments while taking active measures to evade interception. Police records include incidents in which those linked to him purportedly opened fire at officers trying to stop vehicles transporting narcotics.
The record cited two specific episodes: in 2020, a Sirohi Kotwali team intercepted a vehicle in which Sanwaria and associates were allegedly travelling with narcotics; the group reportedly opened fire and fled. In a separate incident near Bagara in Jalore, a police blockade was allegedly breached after gunfire and the suspects escaped, the official account said.
"He was a high‑risk target because of his alleged pattern of violent evasion and interstate supply links," ANTF sources said.
Operational implications for Jodhpur and region
The arrest in Jodhpur marks a notable enforcement success for the ANTF and Rajasthan Police, given the accused’s long alleged involvement in trafficking and the trans‑regional nature of his purported network. Law‑enforcement sources indicated the apprehension could yield leads on supply lines and local distributors, though formal details of ongoing investigations were not disclosed.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name (aliases) | Shyamsundar (Sanwararam / Sanwaria) |
| Age | 32 |
| Reward | ₹1 lakh |
| Cases registered | About 15 (NDPS, Arms Act, others) |
Local residents and commerce in Jodhpur may see increased police activity as follow‑up raids or intelligence operations proceed. The ANTF said the accused’s arrest followed sustained surveillance and prior operational attempts to detain him over several months.
Officials emphasised that while the arrest is a tactical breakthrough, dismantling an interstate trafficking chain depends on follow‑up investigations and coordinated action across states. The ANTF said it will continue probing supply routes and partners linked to consignments from the Northeast and those who acted as local distributors.
For Jodhpur, a city whose historic streets now intersect with modern policing challenges, this arrest underlines both the reach of organised drug networks and the resources marshalled by state enforcement agencies to counter them.
