107kg Ganja Hidden Under Veggie Crates Seized
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The interception occurred late Wednesday evening along the Bhandara-Hyderabad highway near Umiya Colony, exposing a trafficking network attempting to smuggle the contraband into the city.
According to inspector Sandip Bua, the contraband, sourced from Odisha, was being ferried in a tempo. The said vehicle was intercepted by the team following a tip-off received by constable Rajendra Taklikar. On checking, the ganja — worth ₹26.71 lakh — was found stashed under 203 vegetable crates.
Visuals shared by the police revealed that the smugglers had fabricated a makeshift elevated platform inside the vehicle's carriage. Vegetable crates were arranged atop the platform, while the ganja was hidden in boxes underneath. The compartment was securely fastened with two screws, suggesting a deliberate and organized effort to conceal the narcotics.
The tempo, valued around ₹14 lakh, along with mobile phones and concealment tools, brings the total value of the seizure to ₹41.58 lakh.
Two individuals — Taj Habib Sheikh Mohammed (27), a resident of Waki, Saoner, and Shailendra Ramlakhan Gupta (28) of Yadav Nagar, Nagpur — have been arrested in connection with the case. The vehicle had originated from Odisha, where the ganja was loaded, and was headed toward local distributors in Nagpur.
"During interrogation, it was revealed that the consignment was ordered by one Mohsin alias Firoz Isam, a resident of Yashodhara Nagar in Nagpur," said Bua.
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"The crime branch traced several calls made by Isam to the accused, even after their arrest, confirming his role as the handler," he said.
Two more individuals, identified only as Chhotu and Wangu, have been named as wanted suspects in the case. All five have been booked under sections 8(a), 20(b)(ii)(C), and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of police commissioner Ravindra Kumar Singal, joint CP Navinchandra Reddy, additional CP (crime) Vasant Pardeshi, and DCP Rahul Maknikar. A manhunt is underway for the absconding trio, and further investigation is in progress to dismantle the entire supply chain.
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