Two held with ‘hybrid ganja’ worth over ₹9 lakh in SOG raid near Bopal; one absconding

The Special Operations Group (SOG) of the city police has arrested two persons and seized ‘hybrid ganja’ valued at over ₹9 lakh during a late-night raid near Vakil Bridge in the Bopal area, officials said on Sunday.

Acting on specific intelligence, a team led by Police Inspector S N Ramani of the SOG conducted the raid between March 22 and 23 near a showroom in the locality under the jurisdiction of the Bopal Police Station.

During the operation, police recovered 258.76 grams of hybrid ganja, estimated to be worth ₹9.05 lakh. In addition, an Activa scooter valued at ₹25,000 and five mobile phones worth ₹41,000 were seized. The total value of the recovered contraband and other items, collectively referred to as muddamal, is pegged at ₹9.79 lakh.

The arrested accused have been identified as Shivamsinh Dharmendrasinh Bhadoriya, a resident of Narol, and Jay Hemantkumar Desai, a resident of Shastrinagar. Police said a third accused, Purvarajsinh Digvijaysinh Vaghela, a resident of Bopal, is currently absconding and efforts are underway to trace him.

A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, including Sections, pertaining to possession, sale and criminal conspiracy involving narcotic substances.

Officials said preliminary investigation suggests the accused were involved in the illegal procurement and distribution of high-grade cannabis, commonly referred to as hybrid ganja, which commands a higher price in the illicit market.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the contraband and to identify other members of the network. Police said a search has been launched to apprehend the absconding accused and to uncover any wider links in the drug supply chain.