The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized around 740 kg of cannabis and charas in eight operations across the country over the last fortnight and arrested 13 persons under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
The seizures include 709.6 kg of cannabis (ganja), 24.5 kg of high-grade hydroponic cannabis and 5 kg of charas, according to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence.
In its latest operation on September 8, DRI officers intercepted two trucks travelling from Visakhapatnam at Old Dhamtari Road near Raipur based on specific intelligence.
A search of the vehicles led to the recovery of 61 packets suspected to contain ganja, concealed in 10 sacks kept in the loading areas of the trucks. Field tests confirmed the presence of cannabis.
A total of 375.95 kg of cannabis was seized along with the two trucks, and four persons were arrested under the NDPS Act.
Earlier, on August 26, DRI officers had intercepted a truck near Raipur and recovered around 124 kg of cannabis concealed inside the vehicle. The truck was seized and one person was arrested.
In another operation conducted on September 5-6, DRI officers, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted a truck on the Aurangabad-Patna Highway near Patna following a chase.
During the operation, the DRI team was attacked, leaving one officer injured, while the truck driver managed to escape.
A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a secret cavity behind the driver’s cabin containing 90 packets of ganja. Field testing confirmed the presence of cannabis.
The agency seized 140.5 kg of ganja along with the truck under the NDPS Act. Further investigation is underway.
In Punjab, DRI officers intercepted a suspected vehicle near Ludhiana on September 1-2. A search of the car resulted in the recovery of 67 packets containing around 69 kg of cannabis.
The contraband had been concealed in specially created cavities in the floor of the vehicle. The cannabis and the vehicle were seized, and two persons were arrested under the NDPS Act.
On September 3, DRI officers intercepted three persons travelling in the general compartment of the Amarnath Express at Gorakhpur Railway Station based on specific intelligence.
A personal search resulted in the recovery of around 5 kg of charas (hashish), which was concealed in knee-cap-like coverings wrapped around the thighs of two passengers and hidden beneath their sarees.
The investigation indicated that the charas had been smuggled from Nepal. The contraband was seized and all three persons were arrested under the NDPS Act.
In three separate operations during the last 15 days, DRI officers also intercepted three passengers arriving from Hanoi, Vietnam, and Bangkok, Thailand, at Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports.
These operations resulted in the seizure of approximately 24.6 kg of high-potency cannabis. Three persons were arrested under the NDPS Act.
The DRI said the series of operations highlights its continued focus on disrupting the trafficking of narcotic drugs through road, rail and air routes.
The agency has been targeting consignments concealed in specially created vehicle cavities, secret compartments and passenger baggage as part of its intelligence-led enforcement efforts.
