In a significant crackdown, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has successfully apprehended notorious drug smuggler Pappulal, who had been evading the law for a long time. The accused went to great lengths to dodge law enforcement, completely abandoning the use of mobile phones and constantly shifting his hideouts. Despite these calculated moves to stay underground, law enforcement tracked his movements and cornered him inside Udaipur's Celebration Mall while he was casually shopping without a care in the world.
The Operation from Shastri Nagar to the Mall
The breakthrough came when the ANTF received actionable intelligence indicating that Pappulal had travelled to Udaipur. Acting swiftly on this tip-off, the team rushed to Shastri Nagar Sector-3, but the suspect had already departed from the location by the time they arrived. Refusing to give up, the team maintained active surveillance and intelligence gathering. Soon, they received information that Pappulal was browsing shops inside the Celebration Mall. Without wasting a moment, the ANTF team reached the premises, cordoned off the area, and arrested the accused.
Criminal Record Spanning 16 Serious Cases
According to official records, Pappulal was first arrested back in 2018 under the NDPS Act in a case registered at the Sigoli police station, spending roughly a year behind bars. After walking out of prison, he allegedly resumed the illegal narcotics trade. He had been on the run ever since a case involving poppy husk smuggling was filed against him in 2021 at the Begun police station in Chittorgarh. Police revealed that the fugitive faces more than 16 serious criminal cases across Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, which include charges under the NDPS Act, the Arms Act, assault, and opening fire on police personnel.
Avoiding Mobile Phones and Travelling by Bus
To outsmart law enforcement, the accused had completely stopped using mobile phones, making it extremely difficult for authorities to track his electronic footprint. He never stayed at any single location for long and relied exclusively on public buses for commuting. This lack of digital communication and constant mobility posed a major challenge for tracking his whereabouts. However, persistent surveillance and a strong local intelligence network by the ANTF ultimately exposed his presence in Udaipur, leading to his dramatic arrest while shopping inside the mall.
