Staff Reporter

 

Raipur Commissionerate Police arrested three persons, including two interstate suspects, and seized 85 kilograms of ganja allegedly transported from Odisha’s Balangir district during a joint operation near Durga Chowk ground under Civil Lines Police Station limits. Acting on intelligence received on October 16, the Anti-Crime and Cyber Unit, Anti-Narcotics Task Force and Civil Lines Police intercepted a Mahindra vehicle carrying three occupants. A search allegedly yielded several packets of ganja concealed in the vehicle’s boot. Police valued the contraband at approximately Rs 42.50 lakh, while the combined seizure, including the car and four mobile phones, was estimated at Rs 58 lakh.

 

The arrested accused were identified as Aneesh Sahu (36), a resident of Sagar, Madhya Pradesh; Rakesh Sahu (31), originally from Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh; and Suraj Kalet (34), a resident of Mahasamund district. According to police, preliminary questioning indicated that the consignment had been brought from Balangir for delivery to another person. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Deputy Commissioners of Police Smritik Rajnala (Crime and Cyber) and Tarkeshwar Patel (Central Zone). An offence was registered at Civil Lines Police Station under Crime No 544/2026, invoking Sections 20(b)(ii)(C) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Investigators are examining backward and forward linkages to identify suppliers, intended buyers and other associates. Police said commissionerate teams have registered 92 narcotics cases, arrested 204 accused and seized contraband and other property valued at approximately Rs 7.10 crore.