Kawardha police have struck a major blow against drug traffickers, seizing ganja worth ₹5 crore from a Nagaland-registered vehicle. The Kawardha ganja seizure happened on February 24 morning during a routine check on Raipur-Jabalpur National Highway-30, near the Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh border under Chilfi police station limits. This timely bust highlights escalating ganja smuggling Chhattisgarh routes amid national anti-drug drives.
Dramatic Highway Interception
Acting on intelligence, Kawardha police flagged down the suspicious container truck. Documents revealed Nagaland registration, but a deeper probe uncovered the truth. Driver Ayaz Khan, a resident of Bharatpur, Rajasthan, was arrested on the spot. Interrogation showed the vehicle carried 30 sacks stuffed with 900 kg of ganja, hidden in a secret chamber.
"We broke open the concealed compartment and recovered the entire consignment," said a senior police officer. The Odisha ganja consignment was headed to Rajasthan, exploiting inter-state highways for covert transport. Images from the scene show police unloading green-laden sacks, confirming the massive scale.
Hidden Tactics and Ongoing Probe
Traffickers had ingeniously modified the container with a secret chamber to evade checks. This Kawardha ganja seizure exposes sophisticated methods in drug trafficking Rajasthan networks. Police are now grilling Ayaz Khan to unravel the supply chain—who sourced the ganja from Odisha's lush fields? Who were the Rajasthan buyers?
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Key Seizure Details:
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Quantity: 900 kg ganja (30 sacks)
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Value: ₹5 crore (street rate)
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Route: Odisha → Rajasthan via Chhattisgarh
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Vehicle: Nagaland-registered container
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Arrest: Ayaz Khan (Bharatpur, Rajasthan)
Why This Matters Now
With India's war on drugs intensifying post-2025 NDPS amendments, such busts signal heightened vigilance. Central India's highways like NH-30 are prime smuggling corridors, linking Odisha's production hubs to northern markets. This incident, just 17 hours fresh as of February 25, underscores Chhattisgarh's role in curbing interstate narcotics flow. Experts like retired IPS officer R.K. Singh note: "These hauls disrupt cartel finances and deter small-time couriers."
Road Ahead for Investigation
Kawardha police have registered an FIR under NDPS Act. Further raids target accomplices. "We aim to dismantle the entire network," officials vowed. This Kawardha ganja seizure serves as a warning to smugglers: No highway is safe.
