A SUSPECTED interstate narcotics supply trail has come under the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) scanner after the agency intercepted two trucks near Raipur and recovered 375.95 kg ganja, taking its cannabis seizures in two operations around the State capital within a fortnight to 499.95 kg. Acting on specific intelligence on September 8, DRI officers intercepted two trucks coming from Visakhapatnam on Old Dhamtari Road near Raipur. A thorough examination yielded 61 packets concealed inside 10 sacks in the vehicles’ loading areas. Field testing indicated cannabis. The contraband and both trucks were seized under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and four persons were arrested. Information emerging from the operation indicated that the narcotics had allegedly been concealed beneath commercial cargo to evade routine detection. Inputs further suggested an Andhra Pradesh-Maharashtra trafficking trail. DRI is examining the origin of the consignment, intended recipients and other persons potentially associated with its movement.

 

The official release, however, does not confirm claims that the two trucks alone contained around 700 kg or specify their cargo as coal, iron ore or iron material. The latest interception follows DRI’s August 26 operation near Raipur, when around 124 kg cannabis concealed in another truck was seized and one person arrested. The two Raipur operations together yielded 499.95 kg cannabis. While unofficial inputs place the illicit-market value of the consignments above Rs 1 crore, no official valuation was disclosed in the Ministry of Finance release. Nationally, DRI conducted eight operations over the fortnight, seizing around 740 kg narcotics and arresting 13 persons. The haul included 709.6 kg ganja, 24.5 kg high-grade hydroponic cannabis and 5 kg charas. DRI officials privy to post-seizure narcotics operations told The Hitavada that investigators are examining possible interstate linkages, supply points and intended recipients while analysing the movement pattern behind the consignments. They said the agency’s recent actions are aimed at disrupting narcotics trafficking through road, rail and air routes and identifying networks operating behind individual carriers.