NCB busts inter-state Ganja network, recovers 3400 kilos of contraband worth Rs 21 Cr
NCB sleuths from Bangalore and Hyderabad intercepted a truck from Maharashtra registration near the toll booth on Hyderabad ring road on Saturday.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 30 Aug 2021 5:40 AM GMT
Hyderabad: Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted another inter-state drug cartel and seized 3400 kg of high-grade Ganja worth Rs 21 crore from a Truck near Hyderabad. Three peddlers from Maharashtra were also arrested.
Acting on specific intelligence, NCB sleuths from Bangalore and Hyderabad intercepted a truck from Maharashtra registration near the toll booth on Hyderabad ring road on Saturday. During a search, they recovered 3400 kg of Ganja packed in 141 gunny bags. The bags were concealed under tarpaulin sheets and covered by nursery saplings.
"It was difficult to detect the contraband. Three persons were arrested. They have been identified as D Shinde, M R Kamble, N Jogdand, all from Latur district of Maharashtra," NCB Zonal Director (Bangalore), Amit Ghawate said.
This is part of special operations launched to smash the drug cartels across the states. So far 3992 kg of Ganja has been seized and 16 persons were arrested. Three separate Ganja trafficking networks have been smashed.
The fresh consignment was to be supplied to multiple syndicates in Pune, Mumbai, Thane, and other states.
These syndicates sell contraband in various colleges, parties, and individuals through their elaborate ground network. The source of contraband is the AOB (Andhra Orissa border) area.
In 2020, 1971 kgs of Ganja were seized and 8 persons arrested. By end of August 2021, 7500 kgs of Ganja have been seized. Around 25 persons have been arrested so far.
"The enforcement actions of NCB and recent substantial seizures of Ganja clearly indicate that the traffickers have been desperate and taking the risk of smuggling huge quantities of contraband," said Amit Ghawate.
Illegal Ganja cultivation in India is largely concentrated around Naxal-affected Andhra-Odisha Border areas. Ganja from this region finds its way all over the country including Delhi, Mumbai, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal. It is also smuggled across the ocean to Sri Lanka.
