According to police officials, the accused has been identified as Gopal Nag (38), a resident of Ward No. 19, Titurdih, near a local mosque. At the time of arrest, he was allegedly carrying ganja in a white-and-green bag and selling it near the old liquor shop premises.

Acting on a tip-off received from a confidential informer, a team from Mohan Nagar police station reached the spot in a government vehicle and discreetly monitored the suspect. When the police team approached, the man reportedly attempted to flee. Officers immediately cordoned off the area and apprehended him after a brief chase.

During the search, police recovered two packets of ganja, wrapped in transparent tape, from the bag carried by the accused. A further search led to the recovery of ₹2,200 in cash from the pocket of his trousers, suspected to be proceeds from drug sales.

Following due legal procedures, a panchnama was prepared and the seized substance was weighed, revealing a total of 2.03 kilograms of ganja. Police officials estimated the market value of the seized narcotics to be approximately ₹1 lakh. The contraband was sealed on the spot and taken into official custody.

The accused has been booked under Section 20(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and formally arrested. He was later produced before the court as per legal requirements.

Police officials said preliminary interrogation suggests the accused may be part of a broader drug distribution network operating in and around the Durg-Bhilai region. Investigators are now working to trace the source of the ganja and identify other individuals involved in the supply chain.

“We are examining possible links to local and inter-district suppliers. Further arrests cannot be ruled out,” a senior police officer said, adding that surveillance in vulnerable areas has been intensified to curb the illegal drug trade.

The arrest comes amid heightened enforcement efforts by district police to crack down on narcotics trafficking and prevent the spread of drug abuse, particularly among youth.