Uttar Pradesh STF cracks down on organised crime, arrests over 7,000 criminals in 7 years

In a major triumph for law enforcement in Uttar Pradesh, the Special Task Force (STF) has made significant strides in tackling organised crime in the past seven and a half years. The STF has arrested over 7,000 criminals, including drug peddlers, arms smugglers and cyber criminals, and killed 49 offenders in encounters with police.

According to officials, the STF has seized significant quantities of illegal firearms, narcotics and prohibited wildlife products, while also preventing more than 559 serious crimes before they could occur. These preventive actions have cemented the police’s reputation for maintaining vigilance and ensuring public safety.

ADG STF Amitabh Yash said that in the last seven and a half years, the STF has arrested 7,015 notorious and wanted criminals, of whom 49 were killed in encounters with the police. “These criminals had rewards ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 5 lakh,” Yash said, stressing the ongoing campaign against criminal activities.

A key element of this approach is a proactive approach. The STF’s intelligence network has helped prevent serious crimes such as kidnapping, robbery and planned assassination of prominent figures, representatives and ordinary citizens. A total of 3,970 organized criminals have been arrested during this period, which underscores the agency’s role in maintaining public order.

He said the STF has also tackled exam-related malpractices, including cheating and paper leaks. The police have taken action against 926 ringleaders and fixers of 193 gangs involved in these activities. This campaign, aimed at restoring trust in the education system, has increased the credibility of the government among the youth. In addition, 379 cybercriminals involved in online fraud and cybercrimes have been arrested.

In a separate operation against illegal arms smuggling, the STF arrested 189 criminals, recovering 2,080 illegal firearms and 8,229 cartridges. Meanwhile, the crackdown on liquor smuggling led to the arrest of 523 smugglers transporting liquor from states like Punjab and Haryana. During these operations, the STF seized 80,579 cartons of liquor, 330,866 litres of rectified alcohol and 7,560 litres of country liquor.

Moreover, the STF has been relentless in its hunt for drug peddlers. According to Deputy SP Deepak Singh, the agency has arrested 1,082 persons involved in drug trafficking, seizing large quantities of narcotics including 91,147 kg of ganja, 2,054 kg of charas and other illegal substances such as heroin, smack and opium. Vehicles used for drug transportation were also seized and legal action initiated against the offenders.

The STF’s efforts have extended to curbing wildlife smuggling and poaching, with 170 criminals from various gangs involved in these illegal activities being arrested. Among the items seized were 341kg of calipee turtle, two pangolins, one tiger skin and 8,011 tortoises, as well as elephant tusks, ivory, red sandalwood and ambergris.

“With a total of 2,670 successful operations conducted in the last seven and a half years, the STF has established its reputation as a formidable force against organised crime,” Yash said.