The Unseen Menace

Sub Inspector Rekha stood in front of the mirror as she adjusted her belt and buttoned her khaki police uniform shirt, the shirt fitting around her arms, broad shoulders and muscular frame. The 25 year old young dynamic woman was feeling strong from the morning weight training. The assignment today was clear – search the university and student's apartments premises for evidence related to illegal drug possession, selling and other criminal activities. Rekha led a group of skilled female police constables, all young and determined.

Rekha loaded her service pistol and placed it inside her belt holster. Her big, strong hands deftly took out and polished her solid brown leather shoes, before wearing khaki coloured socks with "POLICE" written on the socks. She then put on her shoes and tied her shoelaces tight.

She stood tall and straight at 177cm. She has been the tallest girl her school and the tallest woman in her college. It was only recently she saw a woman taller than her. Her police training batch mate Divya was over six feet and roughly around 2-3 inches taller than her but Divya was more slender and had narrow shoulders.

As she grabbed her keys and helmet, she noted the reflection of her powerful frame and the defined contours of her jawline in the mirror. She took a moment to appreciate the meticulous attention to detail that her uniform and gear demanded. The combination of her strength, height, and sharp features was not just physical but a reflection of her dedication and discipline. Her big, heavy Bullet bike was parked in her parking square.

She got on the bike, put on her coolers, wore her helmet and kick-started the bike. She took pride about being able to start the bike in the first kick. Her disciplined leg day workouts had made her strong enough to start the bike in the first kick every time. As she rode towards the police station, her solid brown shoes and the tight fit of her uniform, highlighting her strong, broad shoulders and massive wrists.

In the station, she had to brief her team members before they jump into action.

The traffic was relatively light as she covered the distance of 5km in 15 minutes and entered into the station. The all-women's police station had a head constable and three constables, each of whom had varying years of experience as cops.

Inspector Kalyani has not yet arrived at the station. But she had instructed Rekha to continue with the raid even if she arrived late. The station was understaffed but Rekha had to carry out the operation.

The 37 year old head constable Sowmiya asked Rekha, "Ma'am, the narcotics wing is already going for the raid right? Why does out team have to go?"

"They don't have sufficient female officers, Sowmiya. We have to raid many girls' hostels and girls' residences near the campus." Rekha replied.

Rekha glanced around the station, taking in the sight of her team. She turned to the other three constables: Subhashini, Suganya, and Ragini. Each had their own unique strengths and areas of expertise, and Rekha knew they were ready for the task ahead.

"Alright, team," Rekha began, her voice firm and clear. "We're going to execute a coordinated raid on several locations around the university. Our primary goal is to find evidence related to illegal drug activities, including possession and distribution."

She paused to make sure her instructions were sinking in. The constables nodded in understanding.

"Subhashini, you'll be leading the search at the first year girls' hostel. Focus on common areas and private rooms, especially if you find any suspicious behavior or items. Ensure that any evidence is documented carefully."

Subhashini nodded confidently. "Understood, Ma'am. I’ll make sure we cover every corner."

"Suganya," Rekha continued, "you’ll handle the second year and third year girls' hostels in the campus. Pay particular attention to any signs of drug usage or unusual activity. Be thorough and cautious."

Suganya responded with a nod. "Got it, Ma'am. We’ll be meticulous."

"Ragini, you'll handle the final year girls' hostels," Rekha said. "Also this is a joint operation with the local police station. They may have useful information or be able to provide access to areas we need to search. Make sure to maintain a professional demeanor and gather any relevant intel. Final year hostels are tougher to raid since the cameras have been disabled. So wear a hidden camera to record evidence."

Ragini straightened up and gave a firm salute. "Understood, Ma'am. I’ll keep communication clear and precise."

Rekha turned her attention to Sowmiya. "Head Constable Sowmiya, we both are raiding the girls' apartments along with the local station inspector and a couple of constables."

Sowmiya nodded in acknowledgment. "I'm ready, ma'am."

Rekha glanced at her watch, noting the time. "We have to move quickly. The university and the student apartments should be our main focus today. Remember, we’re not just looking for drugs—we’re also looking for any evidence that could lead us to the people responsible for these activities. Be alert, stay safe, and stick to your assigned tasks. Have you all loaded your weapons?"

"Yes, ma'am" all three of them nodded in unison.

"But ma'am, why do we need weapons for handling students?" Subhashini questioned curiously.

"Who said we'll face only the students? We might even see some members from the drug mafia. They may attack us with weapons anytime, either to take back their stuff, destroy evidence or even to kill us and create fear among other police officers." Rekha replied casually.

Subhashini's eyes widened in shock.

"Subashini, you're a trained cop. You know how to use a gun. No need to get shocked unnecessarily." Rekha said.

"Sorry ma'am" Subhashini responded and Rekha briefed further.

The constables, now fully briefed and motivated, assembled at the door, ready to execute their assignments. Rekha gave them a final nod of encouragement.

"Alright, let's get to work."

All of them got into the patrol car while Rekha got into the front seat, Ragini got into the driver's seat and the rest of them were seated in the back.

The sun had barely risen over the university campus as Rekha and her team arrived in their patrol car. The air was thick with anticipation, a sense of urgency underscoring their every movement. Ragini navigated the winding roads leading to the first-year girls' hostel, the engine purring.

Rekha, sitting in the front seat, reviewed her plan one last time. The streets were lined with trees, casting long shadows across the road. As they approached the hostel.

The patrol car rolled to a stop outside the hostel, and Rekha and her team disembarked. The hostel’s imposing façade seemed almost too quiet, a stark contrast to the raid that was about to ensue.

Subhashini, Suganya, and Ragini exchanged determined glances before heading to their assigned locations. Subhashini, leading the search at the first-year girls' hostel, entered the building with a confident stride. She was flanked by a couple of local officers, all of whom had their eyes peeled for anything out of place.

The first-year hostel was eerily silent as Subhashini and her team swept through the common areas. They meticulously checked each floor, inspecting laundry rooms, lounges, and even the smallest of nooks. The minutes ticked by slowly, and despite their thorough efforts, nothing unusual turned up. No hidden stashes, no suspicious paraphernalia—just the usual mess of college life.

Subhashini’s disappointment was evident as she reported back to Rekha. “Nothing here, Ma’am. The girls’ rooms were clean, and no one acted suspiciously.”

Rekha nodded, her face a mask of concentration. “Move on to the second-year hostels. Suganya, how are things going there?”

Suganya’s response crackled over the radio. “We’re just starting our search. The girls seem pretty relaxed, almost too relaxed. No signs of trouble yet, but we’re keeping our eyes open.”

Meanwhile, Ragini was at the final-year girls' hostels, her hidden camera discreetly recording as she conducted the search. Her team moved through the building with methodical precision. The final-year hostel, known for its heightened security, proved a tough nut to crack. The disabled cameras and locked doors added to the challenge, but Ragini’s determination never wavered.

Even with the hidden camera capturing every moment, there was nothing of interest. The rooms were clean, with no evidence of drug-related activity. Ragini kept her communication clear, updating Rekha frequently.

The search continued into the late morning, with each hostel proving to be a dead end. Suganya and her team finished up their sweep with the same result—everything appeared normal.

Meanwhile, Rekha and Sowmiya had been working through the girls' apartments. They checked every corner, leaving no stone unturned. Despite the tension and their heightened alertness, the outcome was the same. The apartments were devoid of any incriminating evidence.

All the vehicles belonging to the students were also checked but the same disappointing outcome. By this time, the news was on media and also trending on social media. There were also memes, trolls and some students even started protesting against police who conducted raids on flimsy grounds. Rekha knew that she could not stop all the crime but she needed to do something to stop drugs being sold to students.

She decided to take an unconventional approach. She took out her phone and entered the phrase "SRM drugs raid" in Google, hit ENTER and started scrolling.

There was an Instagram video with a film song as theme sarcastically trolling the police. She went ahead and decided to give one last shot to nab the dealer.

________________________

A group of students in the university hostel was playing the multiplayer game "FREEFIRE"

The game’s battlefield was an open terrain, filled with lush greenery and crumbling ruins. They were posing as a team of skilled players, blending seamlessly into the Free Fire universe while keeping an eye out for the dealer's alias. Their screen names, innocuous enough to avoid suspicion, were set to “AgentX,” “ShadowMist,” and “TechNoir.”

Aditya, Akash and Varshini were having fun on the stone bench. They knew that their dealer would appear with an offer but they did not want to take the risk today amidst the police raids.

________________________

The dealer, known only by his alias "ShadowMaster," sat in a cluttered room, with various items that masked the true nature of his business. The room was a mix of half-packed boxes, old magazines, and posters of famous movie stars, making it appear innocuous to the casual observer.

ShadowMaster was lounging on a worn-out couch, his eyes focused intently on the screen of his phone. His rugged features and stern expression betrayed his otherwise relaxed posture as he played "FREEFIRE".

He was regularly seeing an account playing for several days. He immediately went ahead with the offer "Selling at a discount, 10 gms for Rs. 20000".

He always stuck to verbally conveying offers via gameplay rather than sending messages and leaving evidence against him.

The student quickly responded with the requested details, and ShadowMaster’s grin widened.

Standing up, he put on his leather jacket and checked the hidden compartment behind a loose panel in his room. Inside, neatly organized packages of various drugs were stacked. He selected a couple of small bags, checking them for the final time before slipping them into a backpack.

ShadowMaster moved through his small apartment with the efficiency of someone who had done this countless times. He grabbed a black cap and pulled it low over his face, disguising his features. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed that he looked the part of an everyday person, just another face in the crowd.

He headed out of his apartment and made his way to the parking lot. The area was dimly lit, with a few stray lights casting weak illumination. His car, a black SUV, was parked in the far corner of the lot, away from the more frequented spaces. The vehicle was well-maintained and nondescript, perfect for avoiding attention.

As he approached the SUV, he took a moment to scan the surroundings. There was no sign of anyone suspicious or out of place, which was reassuring. He unlocked the car, opened the door, and slid into the driver’s seat. With a practiced motion, he started the engine, and the vehicle roared to life.

He carefully placed the backpack on the passenger seat, ensuring it was easily accessible. The soft hum of the engine filled the car as he adjusted the mirrors and turned on the headlights. ShadowMaster was methodical in his movements, aware that his next steps needed to be executed flawlessly.

With one last check of the address provided by the student, he began driving towards the meeting point. Despite the tension of the ongoing police raids, ShadowMaster was confident in his ability to evade capture and complete the transaction.

As he drove, he considered the risks and rewards of his trade. He had managed to stay under the radar for a long time, but with the increased police activity, the stakes were higher than ever. Still, he was determined to continue his business as long as there was demand.

The meeting point was a nondescript street, the kind that had little foot traffic and an abundance of shadowy corners. As he arrived, ShadowMaster parked the SUV in a dimly lit area near a cluster of trees, which offered both cover and concealment. The park’s tranquility was a sharp contrast to the intensity of his business dealings.

A few minutes later, a sleek, white sedan approached, its headlights briefly illuminating the park’s entrance before dimming as it entered the secluded area. The car came to a stop a few meters away from ShadowMaster’s SUV. From the sedan emerged a young guy with a confident stride. He wore dark sunglasses and a casual outfit that concealed his identity, but his demeanor was unmistakably assertive.

ShadowMaster stepped out of his SUV, locking it behind him with a practiced flick of his wrist. He approached the guy, his demeanor calm and yet alert to every nuance of the situation. The guy greeted him with a nod, his face partially hidden by the brim of a wide-brimmed hat.

“Good evening,” ShadowMaster said, keeping his voice steady. “I assume you’re the one I’ve been speaking with.”

The guy nodded, his movements smooth and deliberate. “Yes, I’m here to pick up the goods. You have the offer?”

ShadowMaster didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “Here’s the deal: ten grams for twenty thousand rupees. Everything’s packed and ready to go.”

He opened the passenger door of his SUV and retrieved the backpack. As he pulled it out, the guy's eyes followed his every move, his vigilance matching his own. With a practiced motion, ShadowMaster unzipped the backpack slightly, revealing the neatly arranged drug packages inside. He made sure to keep his movements deliberate and calm, projecting an air of professionalism.

The guy took a quick glance inside the bag, confirming the contents with a nod. “Looks good,” he said. She reached into her handbag and pulled out a thick wad of cash, the money neatly bundled and secured with rubber bands.

ShadowMaster’s eyes flickered to the cash, noting the substantial amount. He accepted the money with a careful hand, counting the bundles quickly to ensure everything was in order. Satisfied, he stuffed the cash into his own bag.

“Pleasure doing business with you,” ShadowMaster said, his tone neutral.

“Likewise,” the guy replied, his voice carrying a hint of satisfaction. She turned and walked back to her sedan, sliding into the driver’s seat with a practiced grace.

ShadowMaster watched as the woman’s car pulled away, disappearing into the night. With the transaction complete, he turned his attention back to his SUV. He placed the empty backpack in the trunk and prepared to leave.

As he was about to start his car, a young woman arrived and grabbed him. Four more women followed and nabbed him as he realized that he had been trapped by the cops.

The white sedan car was driving towards him as the guy who purchased from him got down and took back the bundle of cash he had given him.

He gave the stuff to the cops as SI Rekha thanked him.

"Thank you, Varun. So many students never came forward with this information. But you did."

Varun replied, "It's because trustworthy cops like you still exist, ma'am. I'm still thankful for helping me find my stolen purse at the railway station last month."

"Mention not, Varun. If police and the public co-operate, we can nab criminals more efficiently."

ShadowMaster was being led away by Rekha’s team, the handcuffs clinking with each step he took. His demeanor was a stark contrast to the confident facade he had presented earlier. The hidden compartment in his room and the meticulous way he had conducted his illegal dealings were now exposed, thanks to the combined efforts of Rekha’s team and Varun.

As ShadowMaster was loaded into the back of a police van, Rekha watched the vehicle pull away, feeling a sense of closure. The raid had not yielded the results they had hoped for initially, but the successful capture of a major dealer was a significant win. The message sent to those involved in illegal activities was clear: the police were vigilant and capable of striking hard when necessary.

Standing tall and commanding, Rekha's imposing figure was hard to miss. Her sharp jawline and strong protruding chin gave her an air of authority, accentuated by her powerful frame and broad boulder shoulders. The tight half-sleeve shirt she wore highlighted her well-defined muscles, and her solid brown shoes made a clicking sound with each step she took. Her massive watch gleamed under the streetlights, adding to her already formidable presence.

Rekha turned back to Varun, who was now preparing to leave. “Once again, thank you for your help. We’ll be in touch if there are any follow-up questions. Please stay safe.”

Varun nodded. “Will do, ma’am. And good luck with the rest of your work. It’s good to know that people like you are out there fighting the good fight.”

With that, Varun got back into his sedan, and Rekha’s team began to regroup. The day’s events were winding down, but the impact of their work would be felt long after. Rekha took one last look around the quiet park, feeling a sense of pride and relief.

“Alright team,” Rekha said, gathering her constables together. “Let’s head back to the station and start processing the evidence. We’ve made significant progress today, and we’ll continue to push forward. Everyone did an excellent job.”

The constables responded with tired but satisfied nods, their spirits lifted by the success of the operation. As they made their way back to the patrol car, Rekha felt a renewed sense of purpose. The fight against illegal drugs and criminal activities was ongoing, but each success, no matter how small, was a step in the right direction.