Pramesh S Jain
The Kumbalgodu police have arrested two alleged drug peddlers from Kerala and seized 317 kg of Ganja worth ₹3.17 crore,which was being transported from Odisha to Kerala through Bengaluru in a Toyota Innova car.
The arrested accused have been identified as Vishnu (30)and Chand Pasha (31),both from Kerala.
Police have also seized the Innova car allegedly used to transport the contraband, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said at a press conference.
Acting on credible information received on October 11 that a large consignment of ganja was being transported from Odisha to Kerala via Bengaluru,Kumbalgodu police registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and launched an operation on October 12.
The police team intercepted the Innova near an open ground at Kambipura, as the vehicle was heading towards Kerala.A search of the car led to the discovery of approximately 317 kg of ganja.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly revealed that they had arrived in Bengaluru from Kerala on October 6 and hired the Innova in RT Nagar.
They then travelled to Odisha, where they purchased ganja at a low price from an unidentified person and planned to transport it through Bengaluru to Kumbala-Mangalam in Kerala for sale.
The accused had reportedly returned to Bengaluru on October 11 and stayed overnight at a hotel in Bommasandra.
They were intercepted the following day while travelling towards Kerala in an operation led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest Division) Soumya Latha.
Police are continuing the investigation to identify and apprehend other persons involved in purchasing, transporting and selling the narcotic substance.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Satyavathi K.S.of Kengeri subdivision,Kumbalgodu Police Inspector Kumar and other police personnel participated in the operation.
