In a significant crackdown on illegal cultivation, police in Gujarat's Surendranagar district have seized a large quantity of cannabis plants from a farm and booked a local farmer. The operation was based on specific intelligence regarding illicit activities on agricultural land.
Major Drug Bust on Farmland
Acting on a tip-off, a team from the Sayla police station conducted a raid on a farm located on the outskirts of Gosal village in Sayla taluka. The intelligence suggested that the farmer was involved in the illegal cultivation and storage of narcotics. During the raid, officers discovered and confiscated 26 green cannabis plants with a substantial street value.
The estimated market value of the seized cannabis plants alone is Rs 26.57 lakh. Additionally, police seized a tractor trolley that was being used to store the contraband plants on the farm premises. The total value of the seized items, including the trolley, has been pegged at Rs 32.57 lakh.
Farmer Booked Under Stringent Law
The police have identified the accused as Deva Parmar, a 31-year-old farmer. Following the raid, a formal case was registered against Parmar at the Sayla police station. He has been charged under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
According to Inspector D D Chudasma, the in-charge of Sayla police station, the operation was launched after receiving concrete information about Parmar's alleged illegal activities. "We received specific intelligence that Parmar was illegally growing cannabis on his farm and had stored the plants in a tractor trolley on the premises," Chudasma stated. A dedicated team then moved in to carry out the successful raid and recovery.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
The police have indicated that the legal process is now underway. Deva Parmar will be produced before a court, where the investigating officers will seek police remand for his custody. The remand is considered crucial for the further investigation into the case, which may involve uncovering potential supply chains or other individuals linked to the illegal cultivation.
This seizure highlights the continued efforts by law enforcement agencies in Gujarat to combat the cultivation and trade of illegal narcotics, especially in rural and agricultural settings. The use of the NDPS Act signifies the serious legal consequences that such offences entail.
