'Rs 30,000 for a car worth lakhs': Local man gets reward for lending his vehicle to police during a chase with drug smugglers

When a police vehicle was damaged in the middle of a pursuit involving suspected drug smugglers, a local resident stepped in with an offer that helped keep the operation going.

Pradeep Kumar Modanwal, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district, handed over his personal car to police after their vehicle was damaged during a nearly two-hour chase. Authorities later announced a reward of Rs 30,000 for his assistance.

The pursuit, which unfolded in the early hours of Monday, eventually led to the arrest of one suspect and the recovery of narcotics, cash, a weapon, and other items collectively valued at Rs 58.75 lakh, according to police, reports by TOI's Rajeev Dikshit.

Local man lends his car to police

According to police, teams from the Special Operations Group (SOG), Robertsganj police, and Chopan police were pursuing suspected drug smugglers across Sonbhadra when their vehicle was damaged.

The chase had already taken several dramatic turns, with the suspects allegedly attempting to evade capture by repeatedly colliding with pursuing vehicles.

When the police vehicle became unusable near Salkhan, Modanwal offered his own car to officers, allowing them to continue the pursuit.

Police said the suspects later rammed into his vehicle as well while attempting to flee.

What reward was announced?

Following the operation, police announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for Modanwal for helping officers continue the pursuit by providing his personal vehicle.

The SOG team involved in the operation was also awarded Rs 20,000.

Currency notes thrown onto the road

During the chase, the suspects allegedly threw bundles of Rs 100 notes from their moving vehicle.

Police believe the move was intended to distract pursuing personnel and create confusion that could help the suspects escape.

Despite the unusual tactic, officers continued the chase.

How did the pursuit come to an end?

The pursuit continued through multiple areas before police teams managed to corner the suspects' vehicle near the Viranjua area under Rampur Barkonia police station limits.

According to police, the accused abandoned the vehicle and attempted to escape on foot.

Authorities alleged that the suspects opened fire during the confrontation that followed. In the exchange, one of the accused, identified as Prince (27) from Ludhiana, Punjab, sustained a bullet injury in his leg and was arrested.

Another suspect managed to escape, and a search operation is underway.

What was recovered during the operation?

Police said they recovered:

• 3 kg opium
• 225 kg doda (raw opium)
• Rs 50,000 cash
• A luxury car
• One country-made pistol
• Cartridges

The total value of the seized items was estimated at Rs 58.75 lakh.

Where were the narcotics allegedly headed?

During initial questioning, Prince allegedly told investigators that the narcotics had been procured from Daltonganj in Jharkhand.

Police said he claimed the consignment was being transported to Ludhiana in Punjab for distribution.

Authorities are coordinating with police units in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and other states to verify the background of the accused and trace the absconding associate.

(With TOI inputs)