In one of the biggest narcotics seizures in recent months, Surajpur Police have busted an inter-state ganja smuggling operation and seized nearly 20 quintals of cannabis worth an estimated Rs 4.15 crore that was being transported in a passenger bus allegedly bound for Madhya Pradesh. Police arrested the bus driver and six women in connection with the case after a major operation near Silphili, under Jainagar police station limits. According to information received multiple sources, the contraband was being transported in a Neelam Transport passenger bus travelling from Ambikapur towards Katni in Madhya Pradesh. Smugglers had allegedly concealed the ganja beneath bundles of brooms, baskets and other household items in an attempt to evade detection. The operation was launched after police received specific intelligence inputs regarding suspicious transportation of narcotics. Acting on the information, teams from Jaynagar Police Station and Dial-112 intercepted the vehicle near Silphili and conducted a thorough search. During the inspection, officers recovered a huge quantity of ganja hidden among the luggage and commercial goods loaded in the bus. Police subsequently seized the entire consignment and took several suspects into custody.

 

Sources said around 20 passengers, including women, men and children, were travelling in the bus. Some occupants allegedly attempted to flee during the initial police action but were later traced and apprehended. Investigators are now probing the source of the consignment, the intended recipients and the larger supply chain behind the smuggling network. Efforts are underway to identify other individuals involved in transporting and financing the narcotics consignment. The seizure comes amid an intensified statewide crackdown on narcotics trafficking. On the same day, police reportedly seized ganja and arrested suspects in separate operations in Gariaband and Koriya districts. Just five days earlier, another major haul worth around Rs 3 crore was detected in Mahasamund district. Police officials said the campaign against narcotics trafficking would continue and warned that strict action would be taken against those involved in the illegal drug trade.