Major Drug Bust in Bhopal: 170 kg Ganja Seized
In one of the largest drug seizures by the Crime Branch in recent years, Bhopal police arrested a 23-year-old truck driver and confiscated over 170 kg of ganja (cannabis), a mini-truck, and 396 aluminium ingots. The combined value of the seized items is estimated at around Rs 1.33 crore, according to officials.
Tip-Off Leads to Interception Near Kolar Road
Additional DCP (Crime Branch) Shailendra Singh Chouhan stated that acting on a tip-off, a Crime Branch team intercepted a mini-truck parked near Gol Jod Trisection on Kolar Road under Kajlikheda police station limits on June 18. The vehicle, covered with a blue tarpaulin and parked on the wrong side of the road facing Kolar Dam, was allegedly waiting to deliver a consignment of ganja in the city.
Driver Arrested, Contraband Concealed Under Aluminium Ingots
The driver, identified as Anand Bairagi, a resident of Hathwas village in Dewas district, was taken into custody. During a search, police found six plastic sacks containing a total of 170.09 kg of ganja concealed beneath a white sheet. Additionally, 396 aluminium ingots were recovered from the truck. The mini-truck used for transportation is valued at around Rs 30 lakh.
During questioning, the driver told police that the consignment was being transported from Chhattisgarh to Dewas. Police said the truck belongs to the driver’s uncle, who has also been named as an accused in the case. Investigators found that the accused had concealed the ganja beneath a load of aluminium ingots in an attempt to smuggle the contraband across states without attracting suspicion.
Case Registered Under NDPS Act; Network Under Scrutiny
A case has been registered against the accused under the NDPS Act. Police are questioning him to identify the source of the consignment, the intended recipients, and other members of the interstate drug trafficking network. Crime Branch officials said the seizure foiled an attempt to supply a large quantity of ganja in Bhopal. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the origin and destination of the consignment and verify documents related to the aluminium ingots.
