Inter-state Ganja traffickers arrested
Bureau, Odishabarta, Bhubaneswar (05-03-2024 ) : On the basis of intelligence input, a raid was conducted by team of STF, BBSR on NH-16 Bhubaneswar, Khordha on 04.03.2024 early morning against illegal transportation of Narcotic Drugs to Uttar Pradesh & Bihar and intercepted one TATA Truck loaded with contraband Ganja cleverly concealed inside stock of Batteries and also apprehended three accused persons namely
1)Mahendra Pal, 48Yrs S/o NathuLal, Village:DheramMandariya, PO:Richola, Dist:Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh ,
2)Arun Mahto, 38Yrs, S/o Suresh Mahto Vill:Sitarampur, PS Natihani, Dist: Begusarai, Bihar
3)Sunny Kumar, 20Yrs S/o Dwarka Prasad, Vill: Pilibhit, PS:Gezrawala, Dist: Pilbhit, Uttar Pradesh.
During search contraband ganja weighing 148 kg was found kept concealed in the said battery loaded truck. The TATA Truck along the contraband Ganja was seized from their possession. The accused persons could not produce any valid authority in support of transportation of such contraband materials, for which the accused persons were arrested and are being forwarded to the court of District & Sessions cum Spl. Judge, Khordha at Bhubaneswar. In this connection STF PS Case No.12 dated 04.03.2024 U/s 20
(b)(ii)(C)/25/29 of NDPS Act 1985 was registered
During investigation/ interrogation, so far, it is learnt thatFew days back the accused persons loaded consignment (battery) at Vijaynagaram, AP to be delivered in Patna, Bihar. While returning they halted near Girisola, Berhampur on NH16 and waited for the direction of their mastermind.
The said mastermind who was also present at Berhampur (but not travelling in the truck) had procured the contraband Ganja from the Ganja peddlers of Ganjam- Gajapati bordering area. The mastermind then travelled in train and remained in continuous touch with persons in truck. They changed the phone and SIM numbers after Berhampur. The mastermind who has been absconding in West Bengal area has been identified. A team of STF is tracking him and will be arrested soon.
The accused also disclosed that because of liquor ban in Bihar the demand for Ganja has gone up onsiderably.
Further Investigation is on.
Special drive against narcotic drugs is continuing. Since 2020, STF has seized more than 75 Kg of Brown Sugar/Heroin, 202 Gram Cocaine and more than 121 quintals of Ganja/Marijuana, Opium 3 kg 630 gram and arrested more than 190 drug dealers/peddlers.
General Information
GanjaSection 20 (b) of NDPS Act
Small Quantity :up to 01 Kg, Sec. 20(b)(ii)(A) NDPS Act.,
Punishment: up to 01 years of imprisonment plus fine
Medium Quantity: 01 Kg to 20 Kg,Sec. : 20(b)(ii)(B) NDPS Act
Punishment: up to 10 Years of imprisonment Plus fine
Commercial Quantity: 20 kg above, Sec. 20(b)(ii)(C) NDPS Act
Punishment: 10- 20 Years of imprisonment Plus fine
