LUCKNOW, March 25 -- The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) busted an alleged international drug trafficking network with the arrest of two Mumbai-based accused from Lucknow, officials said on Tuesday. According to an official press note issued by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force, the accused-Bhavesh Chauhan, also known as Lalu, and Shaikh Ashraf Pathan alias Batla-were arrested on Monday near the tempo stand at Charbagh railway station. Both the accused are residents of the Nalasopara area in Mumbai's Palghar district and were wanted in connection with a case registered at Naya Gaon police station in Lucknow under relevant sections of the NDPS Act. The case pertains to an organised network involved in trafficking illegal synthetic drugs. Officials said the STF team received specific intelligence about the two accused being in Lucknow and acted swiftly to apprehend them before they could flee. The operation was carried out in coordination with Maharashtra Police. During interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed that they had been engaged in drug trafficking for the past four to five years. They were part of a larger syndicate involved in procuring chemical substances and manufacturing synthetic drugs for supply in the market. Investigators further revealed that the network had cross-border links. In one such instance, a consignment was reportedly routed through Nepal after being dispatched from Mumbai earlier this year. Police records show that Bhavesh Chauhan has a significant criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him in Maharashtra, including offences related to narcotics and violent crimes under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the NDPS Act. The STF said further legal proceedings are underway, and efforts are being made to identify and apprehend other members of the network. htc...