New Delhi: The DRI has carried out a major crackdown against narcotics through a nationwide special operation. Operations conducted across states including Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Punjab, Telangana, and Karnataka resulted in the seizure of a total of 709.6 kg of ganja (cannabis), 24.5 kg of high-grade hydroponic ganja, and 5 kg of charas (hashish). Thirteen individuals were arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985, during these operations, and one DRI officer sustained injuries.
Seizure of approx. 500 kg of ganja in Raipur
The DRI executed a major operation in Raipur on September 8, 2026. Officials intercepted and searched two trucks arriving from Visakhapatnam near the Old Dhamtari Road. They discovered 61 packets concealed within 10 sacks in the trucks’ cargo areas; subsequent checks confirmed the contents to be ganja. A total of 375.95 kg of ganja was recovered from the two trucks, and four individuals were arrested. Prior to this, on August 26, 2026, the DRI had intercepted a truck near Raipur and recovered approximately 124 kg of concealed ganja, leading to the arrest of one person.
Attack on DRI team in Patna; 140.5 kg of ganja seized
Acting on intelligence, DRI officials intercepted a truck on the Aurangabad-Patna highway in Patna, Bihar, between September 5 and 6. During the operation, officials were attacked, resulting in injury to one officer, while the truck driver managed to flee the scene. A search of the truck revealed a secret compartment behind the driver’s cabin, containing 90 packets with a total of 140.5 kg of ganja. The truck and the contraband were seized.
69 kg of ganja seized from car’s floor cavity in Ludhiana
In Ludhiana, Punjab, the DRI intercepted and searched a suspicious car between September 1 and 2. 69 kilograms of cannabis, packed in 67 packets, was found concealed in a specially created cavity in the car’s floor. The vehicle and the contraband were seized, and two accused individuals were arrested.
5 kg of Charas Seized at Gorakhpur Railway Station
On September 3, three individuals traveling in the general coach of the Amarnath Express were apprehended at Gorakhpur Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh. A search led to the recovery of approximately 5 kilograms of charas (hashish). According to the DRI, two of the passengers had strapped the charas to their thighs—worn like knee guards—and concealed it beneath sarees. Investigations revealed that the charas had been smuggled into India from Nepal. All three accused were arrested.
Three Passengers Arrested for Bringing Hydroponic Cannabis from Abroad
The DRI also conducted operations at Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports over the past 15 days. A total of 24.6 kilograms of high-quality hydroponic cannabis was seized from three passengers arriving from Hanoi (Vietnam) and Bangkok (Thailand). All three were arrested. The DRI stated that its intelligence-led operations to curb drug smuggling via road, rail, and air routes would continue.
