Crime branch seizes 934 grams of ganja, arrests suspected drug peddler

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested a 38-year-old man and seized 934 grams of suspected ganja, along with a mobile phone and a scooter, collectively valued at ₹1.06 lakh, during a late-evening operation near Sonal Crossroads in the Vejalpur area.

The accused, identified as Liaqatkhan alias Sanjju Abdulgafarkhan Tabrezkhan Pathan, a resident of Fatehwadi Canal in Vejalpur, was apprehended on Thursday night after the Crime Branch acted on specific intelligence regarding the transportation of narcotic substances.

Police Inspector D K Thakar of the Crime Branch received confidential information that the accused was travelling on a white scooter carrying a quantity of ganja from Sarkhej towards Vejalpur. Following the tip-off, senior officers initiated a raid.

After maintaining surveillance, the team intercepted the accused while he was travelling on a white scooter. 

During the search, officers recovered a plastic hand bag containing a transparent packet filled with a greenish-brown leafy substance emitting the characteristic odour of cannabis. A preliminary field test conducted by a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) officer reportedly confirmed the substance to be cannabis.

The seized contraband weighed 934 grams in net weight and has an estimated market value of ₹46,700. Police also seized the bag used for transportation, a Vivo Android mobile phone valued at ₹10,000 and the scooter valued at ₹50,000. The total value of the seized muddamal has been estimated at ₹1.06 lakh

During interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed that he had procured the ganja from a person identified as Shahrukh alias 'Mental', a resident of Fatehwadi, for the purpose of retail distribution. The alleged supplier remains absconding, and efforts are underway to trace and apprehend him.

A case has been registered under Sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Police are investigating the wider supply chain to determine whether the accused was part of an organised narcotics distribution network operating in Ahmedabad.