In a significant crackdown on illegal narcotics cultivation, the Gujarat Police have confiscated cannabis plants valued at a staggering Rs 17.50 crore in two back-to-back raids within a single day. The operations, led by the Surendranagar Special Operation Group (SOG) and Dhajala police, resulted in the arrest of two farmers from the same village.
Massive Haul from Agricultural Fields
The coordinated police action unfolded in the Sayla taluka of Surendranagar district. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the SOG first zeroed in on the agricultural field of a farmer identified as Sanjay Taviya in Kaswali village. The police team discovered that Taviya had illicitly cultivated cannabis plants, cleverly hiding them among legitimate castor and cotton crops.
During the raid, authorities uprooted a total of 550 cannabis plants, which weighed an enormous 3,036.8 kilograms. The estimated street value of this contraband is a whopping Rs 15.18 crore. Sanjay Taviya was arrested on the spot, and a formal case has been registered against him at the Dhajala police station under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Second Raid Nets Another Farmer
In a separate but simultaneous operation conducted within a 12-hour window, the Dhajala police targeted another farm in the same Kaswali village. This operation led to the arrest of a second farmer, Bhavu Mithapara.
Investigations revealed that Mithapara had also used his farmland for illegal cultivation, concealing cannabis plants amidst a crop of pigeon peas (tuver). From his field, the police recovered 120 cannabis plants with an estimated value of Rs 2.35 crore.
Police Statement and Ongoing Vigilance
Surendranagar Superintendent of Police (SP) Premsukh Delu confirmed the details of the twin operations to the media. He emphasized that the raids were conducted based on precise intelligence about the illegal activities. The SP commended the efforts of the SOG and Dhajala police for the swift action that prevented a large quantity of drugs from entering the illicit market.
These major seizures highlight the ongoing efforts by Gujarat police to combat drug trafficking and illegal cultivation within the state. The use of agricultural land to hide narcotics crops is a recurring challenge, and authorities have stepped up surveillance and intelligence gathering in rural areas. The cases are now under further investigation to uncover any potential links to larger drug networks.
