Over 30 kg of ganja worth Rs 50 lakh seized in Kochi, man arrested

Police seized over 30 kg of ganja worth around Rs 50 lakh and arrested a 22-year-old man in Kaloor here on Thursday as part of the ongoing anti-narcotics drive, Operation Toofan, officials said.

The arrested person was identified as Abdul Hai Molla, a native of Murshidabad district in West Bengal.

According to police, Molla allegedly travelled from West Bengal to Odisha, procured ganja at a lower price and transported it to Keralam for distribution among wholesale dealers.

He reportedly travelled to Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh before boarding another train to Ernakulam Junction. He was apprehended while travelling towards Kaloor early on Thursday, police said.

Investigators suspect that Molla was a key link in an inter-state network transporting ganja from Odisha to Keralam. Police are probing the source of the consignment and attempting to identify the people who had allegedly placed the order for the contraband.

Officials said the accused had been under surveillance for some time before the operation led to his arrest and the seizure.

The action was carried out by a team of the District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) led by Assistant Commissioner Ananthalal.

Following the seizure, the accused, along with the confiscated ganja, was handed over to the North police station, where a case has been registered, officials said.

The investigation is under way to establish the extent of the alleged supply network and identify other persons who may have been involved in procuring, transporting and distributing the narcotic substance.

The seizure comes as police continue enforcement efforts against the illegal drug trade under Operation Toofan, aimed at curbing the movement and distribution of narcotic substances.