On Monday, police seized 4 quintals of marijuana from a truck at the Khutgaon interstate check post in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district. The seized marijuana is estimated to be worth around ₹2 crore. Police have arrested five smugglers in connection with the case. Two of the accused are from Navi Mumbai, while one is a resident of Odisha.
The marijuana had been concealed on the roof of the truck under a black tarpaulin. When police stopped and searched the vehicle at the check post, they spotted some packets inside. On opening the packets, police found them filled with marijuana. Weighing revealed a total of 400 kilograms of marijuana.
Police have also seized the Eicher vehicle used for smuggling, the motorcycle used for piloting, three mobile phones, and ₹6.50 lakh in cash. According to police, the smugglers were transporting the marijuana from Odisha to Maharashtra. The case falls under the jurisdiction of Devbhog police station.
First, take a look at these pictures-
Police in Gariaband seized cannabis worth ₹2 crore.
The accused were transporting the cannabis from Odisha to Maharashtra.
Cash amounting to ₹6.50 lakh was also recovered from the accused.
Now, here are the full details of the case
According to the information, on the night of August 23, a team from the Devbhog police station was checking vehicles coming and going at the Khutgaon check post. During this time, an Eicher vehicle bearing registration number MH 06 BW 4144 arrived from the Odisha side.
The police stopped and searched the vehicle. Some packets covered with a black tarpaulin were visible on the roof of the vehicle. When the police opened the packets, they found them filled with ganja. Upon weighing, a total of 400 kilograms of ganja was found.
Interrogation revealed the identities of those providing pilot escort
The police questioned Santosh Mohite and Sumit Thodwe, both from Maharashtra, who were traveling in the vehicle. They revealed that a motorcycle was traveling ahead of them, with two people acting as pilots. These individuals informed them about police activity and checking along the route, helping the ganja-laden vehicle behind them proceed ahead.
As soon as they received the information, the police cordoned off the surrounding area. They then arrested Pankaj Mohite and Jalandhar Khamhari, who were riding motorcycle number OD 08 W 5814.
The accused were smuggling marijuana in this vehicle.
The person supplying marijuana from Odisha was also arrested
During police questioning, the accused revealed that they had received the marijuana from Vinod Disari of Dengaguda, under the jurisdiction of Ampani police station in Odisha’s Kalahandi district.
A team from Gariaband police was immediately sent to Odisha. The police arrested Vinod Disari from his village. They also recovered ₹500,000 in cash from him, which he had received from selling marijuana.
Thus, the police took action against everyone involved-from the smugglers who transported the marijuana and those who provided pilot vehicles to the person supplying the marijuana.
Ganja Worth ₹2 Crore and Goods Worth Lakhs Seized
The police recovered a total of 400 kilograms of ganja from the accused. Its value is estimated at around ₹2 crore. In addition, an Eicher vehicle worth ₹20 lakh, a Glamour motorcycle, three mobile phones, and ₹6.50 lakh in cash were seized.
Case Registered Under the NDPS Act
The police registered a case against all five accused under the NDPS Act. All the accused were arrested and produced before the court, where further proceedings were initiated.
The Gariaband Superintendent of Police congratulated the Devbhog police station personnel and the entire team for this major action. The police said that action against the illegal drug trade and inter-state smuggling in the district will continue.
