NCB SEIZES OVER 5,400 KG CANNABIS

NEW DELHI: The countrywide operations against drugs by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) leads to seizure of 5,477 kg of cannabis within a week. 13 people were arrested in connection with transportation of large quantity of cannabis in five cases. As per official traffickers used the garb of medicines and vegetables to smuggle the contraband. The action was undertaken over the past fortnight and the central agency claimed to have busted an Andhra Pradesh-odisha based cannabis trafficking network. NCB Deputy Director (operations) KPS Malhotra said during the last week of May and first week of July a total of 5477 kg Ganja was seized in 5 cases from four states. "A total of 13 people have been arrested by various zones of the agency under the provision of the Narcotics Control and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act," he added.

He said the drug trafficking was done using the cover of trucks and vehicles carrying medicines and vegetables.

"The narcotic was found concealed in special cavities created in the trucks or other small vehicles that were intercepted," he said.

The official said the agency has launched a "systematic investigation" in these cases with a special focus on the financial trail of the network.linkages are also being explored regarding the proceeds possibly going to the Naxal violence-affected areas,

Malhotra said.

Further investigations in the case are underway especially regarding the network

linkages with other anti-state activities including the money

laundering aspect.

The official further said illegal ganja Cultivation in India is largely concentrated around the Naxal infected AndhraOdisha border areas.