Anti-Narcotics Squad Cracks Ganja Network Hiding Drugs in Sarees

New Delhi, October 25: A major interstate ganja smuggling network has been exposed by the Anti-Narcotics Squad of the Delhi Police, leading to the arrest of three smugglers. The gang reportedly concealed the narcotic inside saree boxes, sound box packaging and cartons of RO purifiers. Authorities have recovered 26.466 kg of ganja so far.

The breakthrough began on September 17, when a patrol team stopped an e-rickshaw near a service road in the Khyala area. The rider, identified as 22-year-old Chandan Kumar, was found with 16.906 kg of ganja. A subsequent search of his rented home in JJ Colony, Khyala, yielded 5.354 kg more.

An NDPS Act case was registered at Khyala police station, and a team was assigned to trace the origin of the drug and the other people involved.

Chandan Kumar, during questioning, told investigators that the ganja was ordered from Odisha through courier parcels. The arrangement was made by Nitesh Kumar alias Nilesh of Bihar. The consignment was hidden in boxes and cartons and sent to Delhi for supply to local drug dealers.

After sustained investigation and field work, police arrested Nitesh Kumar alias Nilesh from Bihar on October 17. He was found to be operating the network from Bihar using a single mobile phone, while coordinating with associates in Odisha and Delhi. The courier shipments from Odisha were received in Delhi by Chandan Kumar and Vicky Kumar.

The accused also used a single mobile number to talk to associates and courier employees. Police said he often gave wrong or incomplete delivery addresses so that couriers would contact him directly, enabling him to manage the parcels in Delhi.

Following further questioning, the team learnt about another consignment from Odisha hidden in an RO purifier carton. Inquiries at several courier offices helped identify the delivery location in Khyala, and a trap was laid for the person coming to collect it.

On October 20, Vicky Kumar, 22, was arrested while he came to pick up the parcel. The package yielded 4.206 kg of ganja, bringing the total seizure in the case to 26.466 kg.

Officials said the investigation established that Vicky Kumar collected the consignments on Nitesh Kumar alias Nilesh's instructions and passed them on to local drug peddlers in Delhi. All three accused are now in custody.