In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the Bengaluru police arrested two individuals and seized 250 kilograms of ganja, valued at approximately Rs 1.5 crore, which was cleverly disguised as poultry feed. The arrest was made on Tuesday near the Kengeri area, following a tip-off about a large consignment of drugs being transported into the city.
Modus Operandi
The accused, identified as Ravi Kumar (32) from Andhra Pradesh and Suresh (28) from Bengaluru, had packed the ganja in sacks labeled as poultry feed to evade detection. They were transporting the contraband in a mini truck when the police intercepted them. The duo had sourced the ganja from the forests of Andhra Pradesh, a known hub for cannabis cultivation, and intended to distribute it in Bengaluru and surrounding areas.
Police Investigation
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sanjay Kumar stated that the police had been monitoring the activities of the suspects for several weeks. “We received credible intelligence about a major drug shipment. Our team laid a trap and successfully apprehended the accused. The ganja was concealed in 50 bags, each containing 5 kilograms, and mixed with layers of poultry feed to mask the smell,” he said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused had been involved in similar operations for the past few months, supplying ganja to local peddlers in Bengaluru. The police are now probing their network to identify other accomplices and buyers.
Legal Action
The accused have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. They were produced before a local court and remanded to judicial custody. The police have also seized the mini truck used for transportation.
This seizure is one of the largest in the city this year, highlighting the ongoing challenge of drug trafficking. The police have urged citizens to report any suspicious activities related to drug trade.
The operation underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing in curbing the illegal drug trade in Bengaluru. Further investigations are underway to trace the supply chain and dismantle the entire network.
