Purulia Cannabis Seizure: 322 Kg Ganja Worth Over ₹1 Crore Recovered, Seven Arrested

Purulia Cannabis Seizure has exposed a major inter-state drug trafficking network after the Purulia District Police recovered around 322 kg of cannabis (ganja) worth more than ₹1 crore from a specially designed secret compartment beneath a truck. Seven people were arrested during the operation, while three vehicles allegedly used by the trafficking syndicate were seized.

The late-night operation, carried out on National Highway 18 (Gobindpur–Balasore route) near Belkuri Ramakrishna Mission on the outskirts of Purulia town, is being considered one of the district's biggest anti-drug successes in recent months. Investigators are now working to identify the source and destination of the seized narcotics and uncover the wider inter-state network behind the smuggling operation.

Secret Truck Compartment Used to Hide Cannabis
According to police officials, the truck was travelling with two escort vehicles—one moving ahead and another following behind. The unusual convoy attracted the attention of the police team conducting surveillance on the highway.

After intercepting all three vehicles, officers carried out a detailed inspection and discovered a specially built hidden compartment underneath the truck. Inside the concealed chamber, police recovered approximately 322 kg of cannabis, which has an estimated market value of more than ₹1 crore.

The seizure highlights the increasingly sophisticated methods being used by organised drug trafficking syndicates to transport narcotics across state borders.

Special Operations Group Led the Raid
The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Purulia District Police played a key role in the successful operation.

Senior police officials said the raid was conducted following intelligence inputs about the movement of suspected drug traffickers through the district. The operation was carefully planned, resulting in the recovery of the narcotics without allowing the suspects to escape.
The Superintendent of Police stated that further investigations are underway to determine:

Source of the Cannabis
Investigators are trying to establish where the cannabis originated and identify the suppliers involved in the trafficking chain.

Intended Destination
Police are also examining where the consignment was being transported and who the intended recipients were.

Wider Inter-State Network
Officials suspect that the arrested individuals may be linked to a larger inter-state drug syndicate. Investigations are continuing to identify additional associates operating in different states.

Seven Accused Arrested
Police arrested seven individuals during the operation. According to officials:
Three accused are from West Bengal
One accused is from Odisha
Three accused are from Bihar
The arrested persons are between 32 and 48 years of age.

The accused have been identified as:
Raju Pal – East Burdwan, West Bengal
Jiban De – East Burdwan, West Bengal
Uttam Kumar Sinha – West Burdwan, West Bengal
Kalia Lanka – Ganjam district, Odisha
Deepak Kumar Singh – Bhojpur district, Bihar
Ajit Kumar Singh – Bhojpur district, Bihar
Ranjit Kumar Prasad – Buxar district, Bihar
All the accused are expected to face legal proceedings under the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Three Vehicles Seized During the Operation
Apart from recovering the narcotics, police also seized three vehicles allegedly used in the transportation and escort of the cannabis consignment.

Investigators believe the two smaller vehicles were accompanying the truck to monitor police movement and provide logistical support during transportation.
The vehicles will undergo forensic and technical examination as part of the ongoing investigation.

Police Reaffirm Zero-Tolerance Against Drug Trafficking
Following the successful operation, Purulia District Police reiterated their commitment to maintaining a zero-tolerance policy against illegal drug trafficking.
Officials said similar intelligence-based operations will continue across the district to dismantle organised narcotics networks and prevent the movement of illegal drugs through West Bengal.

The police have appealed to citizens to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by reporting any suspicious activities related to narcotics.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari Congratulates Purulia Police
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari congratulated the Purulia District Police for the successful operation.
In a social media post, the Chief Minister praised the officers for their professionalism and dedication in intercepting the large drug consignment. He described the seizure as a significant achievement in the fight against organised drug trafficking and appreciated the efforts of the Special Operations Group and the district police team.

The Purulia Cannabis Seizure marks a significant breakthrough in West Bengal's campaign against organised drug trafficking. With 322 kg of cannabis worth over ₹1 crore recovered, seven accused arrested, and three vehicles seized, the operation has dealt a major blow to an alleged inter-state narcotics network. As investigations continue, authorities are working to identify the entire supply chain and bring all those involved to justice. The successful raid also reinforces the state police's commitment to maintaining strict action against illegal drug smuggling.