Major drug bust at Dhanwar checkpost

In what is being described as the largest-ever narcotics seizure in the region, the Balrampur police intercepted a 16-wheeler truck packed with a massive consignment of cannabis (ganja) at the Chhattisgarh-Uttar Pradesh border. Acting on a specific tip-off, a police team set up a blockade at the Dhanwar checkpost under the Basantpur police station limits and intercepted the speeding heavy vehicle at around 3:00 AM on Friday. Upon inspection, the team recovered over 50 sacks of ganja hidden under layers of industrial powder.

Inter-state cartel kingpin tracked down

The operation led to the arrest of two individuals, including Lokesh Kumar, a resident of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Officials confirmed that Kumar is the owner of the truck and the alleged mastermind behind an expansive inter-state drug smuggling network. He had been evading law enforcement for the past five months. The second arrested individual has been identified as Aamir, a resident of Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh.

| Seizure Location | Dhanwar Checkpost, Balrampur (CG-UP Border)   |

+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+

| Vehicle Involved | 16-wheeler transport truck                    |

+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+

| Contraband       | 50+ industrial sacks of cannabis (ganja)      |

+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+

| Key Arrests      | Lokesh Kumar (Kingpin), Aamir (Co-accused)    |

+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+

High-tech concealment strategy failed

According to local authorities, the smugglers had employed a sophisticated camouflage tactic to bypass border security. The contraband was tightly sealed in plastic packaging and laid out across the floor of the truck bed. To mislead the transit police, the suspects stacked dozens of bags containing a white chemical powder directly over the narcotics. When the vehicle was stopped, the erratic behavior of the driver and the co-passenger raised immediate suspicion, prompting a thorough physical search of the cargo.

Cyber cell intercepts the mastermind

The breakthrough comes as a continuation of a previous investigation from five months ago, when Balrampur police seized 12 quintals of ganja valued at ₹6 crore. While three smugglers were jailed at the time, Lokesh Kumar remained at large. The breakthrough came when the Cyber Cell generated live tracking data indicating that the kingpin was personally supervising a major shipment moving from Odisha through the Surguja division.

Security loopholes exposed across districts

The successful operation has inadvertently exposed significant gaps in regional highway policing. Initial reports indicate that the 16-wheeler truck managed to enter Chhattisgarh from Odisha and traveled across multiple high-security districts, including Raigarh, Surguja, and Surajpur. The vehicle successfully navigated past dozens of local police stations and highway patrol checkpoints before finally being halted mere moments before crossing into Uttar Pradesh.

Official weighing and documentation underway

Wadrafnagar SDOP Ramvatar Dhruv stated that the seizure represents one of the largest drug hauls in the district's policing history.

A specialized team is currently supervising the unloading and official weighing of the contraband at the station. Authorities noted that the exact weight and the final valuation of the seized multi-crore ganja consignment will be formally declared once the statutory legal paperwork and forensic sampling are completed.

Bhind Ganja Smuggling Ring Runs Like a Company; B-Team Takes Over After A-Team Bust

Police in Bhind have uncovered the second layer of a well-organised inter-state ganja smuggling network operating on a corporate-style model with clearly defined roles, profit-sharing, and even a dedicated fund for legal aid. In a joint operation by Barohi and Dehat police stations, two members of the so-called B-Team were arrested late on Tuesday with 138 kg of ganja valued at around ₹28 lakh.

The arrests have once again highlighted how the gang quickly adapted after its first team was dismantled in December last year. Officials say the network treated smuggling like a business enterprise, complete with managers, financiers, storekeepers, and suppliers.

A-Team Dismantled in December Raid

The story began in December when Barohi police, led by Station House Officer Atul Bhadauria, intercepted a suspicious Hyundai car near Madanpura Dam. The driver tried to flee through a kutcha road but was chased and caught. A search yielded 22.2 kg of ganja.

Those arrested included Rajendra Baghel of BTI Road, Bhind, Pankaj Shukla of Barohi, and Rajkumar Sharma from Surpura. Pankaj Shukla was believed to be running the operation using a structured “company model”. Another key member, Majnu alias Shivam Sharma from Aryanagar, managed to escape initially but was later arrested after a few months.

B-Team Activated to Keep Business Running

With the main operatives behind bars, Majnu, who had been on the run, reportedly activated the backup B-Team to ensure the trade did not stop. Sources familiar with the investigation said he brought in new people and assigned specific responsibilities to minimise risk and maintain continuity.

Anup Sharma alias Anna was roped in as the financier. According to preliminary questioning, the financier was to get nearly 50 percent of the profits and was also responsible for arranging bail if any member was caught. A separate budget was maintained from each consignment for legal expenses, including efforts to secure bail for those already in jail.

Rishabh Chauhan was tasked with arranging vehicles, while others handled storage and new supplier contacts. The gang shifted to greater caution this time, using luxury cars in a convoy system and code words such as “maal” or “jadi-buti” during communication.

New Hideout and Sophisticated Tactics

Investigators revealed that the B-Team set up a fresh storage point in Kumhroua area. Abhishek Tiwari of Aryanagar was given charge of the “godown”. He allegedly rented a relative’s house for ₹10,000 per month and, with help from Anshul Bouhre, used it to store the contraband.

The gang sourced ganja from Odisha, where it was procured at around ₹5,000 per kg. It was then sold to agents in Bhind and nearby areas at up to ₹20,000 per kg, reaching ₹25,000 in retail. Police said suppliers from Odisha sometimes ensured safe delivery up to the Chhattisgarh border.

To avoid detection on the road, the gang used a “follow car” system. One vehicle with 3-4 members would travel 2-3 km ahead to scout for police presence and relay information to the carrier vehicle behind it.

Latest Seizure and Ongoing Hunt

In the latest action, police arrested Abhishek Tiwari and Anshul Bouhre. The 138 kg ganja recovered is believed to be part of a larger 200 kg consignment, of which around 40 kg had already been sold. Interrogation has provided fresh leads on the wider network.

Barohi SHO Atul Bhadauria confirmed that the arrested duo belongs to the B-Team of the same gang busted earlier. “Their questioning has opened several links of the network. We have identified four members of the B-Team so far,” he said.

Those still absconding include financier Anup Sharma alias Anna, Mangu, and Rishabh Chauhan. Police teams are actively searching for them.

Impact on Local Drug Trade

This structured operation allowed the gang to run the illegal trade with minimal disruption even after major arrests. By dividing roles and creating contingency plans, including financial provisions for legal battles, the network tried to function like any legitimate business with risk management.

Local authorities noted that such organised models make enforcement challenging as new layers quickly replace arrested members. The seizures, however, have dealt a significant blow to the supply chain in the region.

Police said further investigation is underway to trace the money trail, more hideouts, and upstream suppliers in Odisha. Cases under the NDPS Act have been registered, and efforts are on to dismantle the remaining links of both A and B teams.

The development comes at a time when authorities in Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring states continue to step up vigil against the inflow of ganja from eastern regions.

Raipur Police Bust Inter-State Cannabis Racket, Seize 22 kg Ganja Worth ₹11 Lakh

Seven arrested including two women and a minor; gang was smuggling cannabis from Odisha to Madhya Pradesh via Chhattisgarh capital

Gang Caught Red-Handed

Raipur police dismantled an inter-state drug smuggling network on Wednesday after arresting seven individuals — including two women and a minor — found carrying over 22 kilograms of cannabis near Telghani Naka in the Ganj police station area of the state capital.

The operation, carried out on the evening of April 2, follows a tip-off received by local police about a group loitering near the naka with bags suspected to contain contraband.

Tip-Off Led to Quick Action

According to police officials, a confidential informant alerted the Ganj police station that several individuals were standing near Telghani Naka with loaded bags, apparently waiting to move to another location.

A police team was immediately deployed to cordon off the area. Upon conducting a search, officers recovered ganja from the personal bags of all seven individuals on the spot.

Accused Named, Odisha Links Confirmed

The arrested accused have been identified as Shantanu Malik, Romeo Malik, Juliet Malik, Rahul Malik, Rashmita Digal, and Deepa Digal — all residents of Odisha — along with one juvenile whose identity has not been disclosed given their age.

Sources indicated that the group had procured the cannabis from Odisha and was in the process of transporting it to Madhya Pradesh when they were intercepted in Raipur.

Over ₹11 Lakh in Contraband Seized

Police seized a total of 22.450 kilograms of ganja from the accused, with the street value of the seized consignment estimated at approximately ₹11.22 lakh.

The recovery was made from individual bags carried by each member of the group, suggesting a deliberate distribution of the contraband to avoid detection at checkpoints.

NDPS Act Invoked

Cases have been registered against all seven accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Ganj police station. All arrested individuals are currently in police custody and are being questioned to uncover the full extent of the trafficking network.

As per reports, investigators are working to identify other members connected to this supply chain — both at the source end in Odisha and the distribution end in Madhya Pradesh.

Officials Vow Continued Crackdown

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Cyber), Smritik Rajnala, confirmed that the crackdown on drug trafficking operations will continue without pause.

"Action against those running narcotics trade will remain relentless," the DCP stated, adding that the identities of other associates linked to this gang are being established and arrests are expected soon.

What Comes Next

This latest bust is part of a sustained anti-narcotics drive by Raipur police targeting inter-state drug corridors passing through Chhattisgarh. The state, positioned between Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, has increasingly been flagged as a transit route for cannabis smuggling networks.

Officials are expected to seek police remand of the accused to trace the supplier network back to its origin in Odisha. Further arrests in connection with this case remain likely as interrogation continues, according to sources close to the investigation. The case has been forwarded for judicial proceedings under the NDPS Act.