Drug peddler installs CCTV cameras to scare cops

She sold ganja to pay installments on loan of 7 lakh

A 50-year-old woman drug peddler installed CCTV cameras in and around her south Delhi house to keep local police away from taking any action against her.

Using the CCTV footage, Sangam Vihar-resident Santosh Devi used to threaten of filing a complaint against the police personnel for harassment and unauthorised entry in her house, police said.

Devi had taken a loan of Rs 7 lakh to purchase her house, and started selling ganja to meet the loan installments. She was arrested on Monday.

“There were several complaints from the residents of Sangam Vihar regarding sale of ganja in small pouches through Devi. In order to curb the activities, we had assigned a special staff team to conduct raids with the assistance of local police,” said Ishwar Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South).

The team conducted a raid on Monday and arrested Devi with a bag containing 4.8 kilos of ganja. During interrogation, Devi told police that she procured ganja from a distant relative named Sanjay.

A case under Indian Penal Code and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act has been registered with Neb Sarai police station.

According to police, it has also been seen in recent past that local criminals have installed CCTV cameras in their houses to keep a check on the movements of beat constables.

“If any beat constable dares to enter forcibly, they would use the CCTV footage as evidence against them. They would level allegations of extortion and harassment caused to women living in the house,” Singh added. 

The police teams recently busted three such hideouts where CCTV cameras were installed and nefarious and illegal activities were carried out inside the premises.
 
A gang was busted in Mahipalpur where CCTV cameras were installed while selling illicit liquor. Similarly, a gang in Vasant Vihar had installed CCTV cameras at a house where they were running a satta racket.

“When a beat constable of the area tried to sneak inside the house to stop it, the lady owner of the house filed a complaint against the staff and harassed them,” Singh said.