Interstate Cannabis Smuggling Bust Under Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai’s Directive
Five Accused Arrested While Smuggling, Links Traced to Key Kingpins
Police Strike at Every Level of Cannabis Smuggling Chain in Durg District
45 Kilograms of Cannabis Seized with Established “Forward” and “Backward” Links, Leading to Arrests
Financial Investigation of Smugglers Underway, Their Bank Accounts Being Frozen
Operation Conducted with the Assistance of National Agency Narcotics Control Bureau and State Special Task Force; Investigation Ongoing
Action Taken Under the Supervision of Durg IG Shri Ram Gopal Garg and Durg SP Shri Jitendra Shukla
Raipur >> On September 5 at 2:20 PM, information was received from an informant that Pintoo Kumar Sahni, illegally bringing narcotic substances like cannabis from Odisha for illicit profit, had stored the drugs near the house of G. Sarojini at Balaji Nagar, Khursipar, near Ganesh Temple. Pintoo, described as a short-heighted person wearing blue lower pants with a white stripe and a brown T-shirt, was guarding the cannabis, and he, along with G. Sarojini, was involved in its illegal sale. The information was relayed to senior officials, and under the guidance of Durg Range Inspector General Shri Ram Gopal Garg and Durg Superintendent of Police Shri Jitendra Shukla, action was taken under the NDPS Act.
Sub-Inspector Yuvraj Sahu, along with a team comprising Harsh Devangan, Aman Sharma, and women constables Mamta Vasnik and Shreya Rajput, conducted a raid near Ganesh Temple, Balaji Nagar, Khursipar, with necessary equipment and witnesses. Upon questioning the individuals present, they identified themselves as 1. G. Sarojini and 2. Pintoo Kumar Sahni. Upon inspection, a total of 32.145 kilograms of cannabis wrapped in separate newspaper pouches were found inside G. Sarojini’s house, and another 5.830 kilograms were found in plastic sacks nearby. Additionally, three mobile phones and a Pulsar motorcycle (CG 07 AJ 6067) worth ₹1 lakh were seized from Pintoo Kumar Sahni.
Further interrogation led to the discovery that A.B. Sahni and Ajay Sahni were involved in transporting cannabis in two white cars, frequently changing the number plates to avoid detection. Both individuals were found with cannabis concealed in the trunks of their vehicles. A.B. Sahni and Ajay Sahni were found in possession of 3.370 kilograms of cannabis in one vehicle and 3.380 kilograms in another.
In total, 45.145 kilograms of cannabis, valued at ₹4.5 lakh in the illegal market, along with two cars worth ₹12 lakh and one motorcycle worth ₹1 lakh, were seized in the presence of witnesses. The accused were arrested and will be presented in court. This is the first time in Durg district that a “forward” and “backward” link of the cannabis smuggling network has been established, leading to arrests.
The accused have previous cases under the NDPS Act. Pintoo Sahni has one case, while G. Sarojini has two cases against her. In this operation, Sub-Inspector Yuvraj Sahu, Assistant Sub-Inspector Yashwant Srivastava, and constables Nagendra Banchhor, Harshkant Devangan, and Aman Sharma played crucial roles.
