New Delhi, September 10: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized nearly 740 kg of cannabis and charas in eight separate operations conducted across the country over the past two weeks, officials said.The seizures included around 709.6 kg of ganja, 24.5 kg of high-grade hydroponic cannabis and 5 kg of charas. A total of 13 people were arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
In one of the major operations, DRI teams intercepted two trucks travelling from Visakhapatnam on September 8 near Old Dhamtari Road in Raipur.
A search of the vehicles led to the recovery of 61 packets containing suspected ganja, which had been concealed inside 10 sacks in the loading areas.Field tests indicated the presence of cannabis, and around 375.95 kg of the substance was seized along with the two trucks. Four people were arrested in the case.
The agency had also intercepted another truck near Raipur on August 26 and recovered approximately 124 kg of cannabis. The vehicle was seized and one person was arrested.
In another operation during September 5-6, DRI officials intercepted a truck on the Aurangabad-Patna Highway following intelligence inputs. The operation turned tense after the officers were allegedly attacked, leaving one official injured. The truck driver escaped.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a concealed compartment behind the driver’s cabin. Officers recovered 90 packets containing ganja from the cavity, with the total seizure estimated at 140.5 kg. The truck was also taken into custody.
In Punjab, DRI officials intercepted a suspected vehicle near Ludhiana on September 1-2. A search revealed 67 packets containing around 69 kg of cannabis, concealed in specially constructed cavities in the vehicle’s floor.
Two people were arrested.Another operation was conducted at Gorakhpur railway station on September 3 after the agency received intelligence about suspected drug transportation.
Three passengers travelling in the general compartment of the Amarnath Express were intercepted.The officers recovered approximately 5 kg of charas, which had allegedly been concealed on two of the passengers using coverings around their thighs. Preliminary investigation indicated that the substance had been brought from Nepal. All three passengers were arrested.
The DRI also conducted three separate operations at Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports involving passengers arriving from Hanoi and Bangkok. These operations resulted in the seizure of approximately 24.6 kg of high-potency cannabis, with three people being arrested.
The agency said the series of operations highlights its focus on detecting and disrupting suspected narcotics trafficking through multiple channels, including road, railway and international air routes.
The cases are being investigated under the NDPS Act, with further investigation expected to establish the source, intended destination and wider network, if any, associated with the seized consignments.Authorities continue to maintain surveillance over suspected trafficking routes and concealment methods used for the movement of narcotic substances.
