DRI Seizes 79.45 Kg of Ganja in Vizianagaram, Two Held
Visakhapatnam, June 4 (TNT): Officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Visakhapatnam Regional Unit, seized 79.45 kg of ganja and arrested two persons in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district in a major anti-smuggling operation.
According to a DRI release issued on Thursday, the seizure was made following specific intelligence inputs regarding the transportation of narcotic substances from Odisha to Kerala.
Acting on the information, DRI officials intercepted a Mahindra Bolero Maxi Truck near the Nathavalasa Toll Plaza in Vizianagaram district. The vehicle was carrying two occupants and was travelling from Odisha towards Kerala.
During a thorough inspection of the vehicle, officers discovered 79.45 kg of dry green leafy substance suspected to be cannabis (ganja) concealed in a specially designed secret compartment built beneath the luggage area of the truck.
The seized contraband is estimated to be worth around ₹16 lakh in the illicit market. The value of the vehicle used for transportation has been estimated at approximately ₹2 lakh.
The two occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody and subsequently arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Officials said preliminary investigations indicate that the accused were attempting to transport the narcotic substance across state borders using concealed compartments to evade detection by enforcement agencies.
The DRI has launched a detailed investigation to identify the source of the contraband and uncover the wider network involved in the smuggling operation. Efforts are also underway to ascertain whether the seized consignment was linked to any organised interstate drug trafficking syndicate.
Officials reiterated their commitment to curbing the illegal trafficking of narcotic substances and stated that stringent action would be taken against all those involved in the supply chain.
TNT KM
