In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, Mandya police seized a huge consignment of 111 kilograms of ganja and arrested one accused in a late-night operation conducted under the jurisdiction of Kestur Police Station. The seizure is being viewed as one of the district's key anti-narcotics operations in recent years.
According to police officials, the contraband was illegally transported from Odisha to Mandya district. Following credible intelligence, a special police team conducted a targeted operation and intercepted a Swift car suspected of being used for transporting the narcotic substance.
The operation was carried out under the leadership of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP) Yashwanth Kumar. Based on specific information on the movements of the vehicle, officers followed and stopped the vehicle during the late-night hours. A thorough inspection of the vehicle led to the recovery of 111 kilograms of ganja hidden inside.
The police immediately took the vehicle into custody and arrested the driver, Srinivasalu. Preliminary investigations suggest that the accused was involved in transporting the narcotic substance through Andhra Pradesh before entering Karnataka.
The investigators believe the ganja originated in Odisha and was moving through interstate routes before reaching Karnataka. The supply chain of drugs (for which the intended recipients are identified) and other people involved in the trafficking network are now being examined, he said.
According to the testimony, the accused said the consignment was to be shipped to buyers in Karnataka. There were plans to deliver the ganja to contacts in Tumakuru, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the transportation route and delivery process were changed before the vehicle was intercepted by police.
Another individual may be involved in the smuggling operation, investigators have also learned. The identity of the second suspect has not yet been established, and police are actively working to trace the person's role in the network.
The operation may be part of a larger interstate drug trafficking racket, the police say. The investigation is examining communication records, vehicle ownership information, and financial transactions connected to the accused as well, they say.
The Swift car used in transportation has been seized as evidence. Initial information suggests that the vehicle is related to Nagamangala in Mandya district. The officials are checking ownership records and whether the owner knew about the illegal activity.
Mandya Superintendent of Police Dr Shobharani visited the location after the seizure and reviewed the progress of the investigation. Police officials spoke of their commitment to combating drug trafficking and stopping narcotic substances from appearing in the district.
The seizure indicates that Karnataka police are stepping up their efforts to eradicate organised drug networks across state borders. Law enforcement agencies have stepped up surveillance and intelligence gathering in recent years to cut down on the flow of drugs along major transport corridors.
A case was registered at Kestur Police Station under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Investigation is ongoing to find all the people involved in the smuggling and get the full network behind the transportation of the seized contraband.
Police officials have said more arrests are also likely in the future. This operation can be seen as an accomplishment in the eradication of the drug market in the area and a warning to those involved in drug trafficking, they say.
