In a significant crackdown on interstate drug trafficking, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Lucknow intercepted a large consignment of narcotics at the city's bustling Charbagh Railway Station. The operation, conducted on Thursday, led to the seizure of a substantial 50 kilograms of ganja, with an estimated street value of around Rs 85 lakh in the international illicit market.
Operation at Platform No. 4: The Interception
Acting on a specific tip-off, a dedicated team from the NCB's Lucknow unit moved swiftly to platform number 4 of the Northern Railway terminal. Their target was two individuals, identified as Bhola Sahani and Sudama. The officials intercepted the duo and upon searching their belongings, uncovered the contraband. The ganja was cleverly concealed across 10 separate small bags in an attempt to avoid detection during the rail journey.
Supply Chain and Arrests
Following the successful seizure, both accused were immediately placed under arrest. The NCB has registered a formal case against them under the stringent Sections 8, 20, and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985. Preliminary investigations by the agency have unraveled the drug's journey. The consignment was sourced from Bihar and was en route to Ludhiana in Punjab for further distribution.
Investigators revealed that the alleged supplier is Pankaj Kumar Sahani, also a resident of Vaishali district in Bihar. As per the NCB's findings, Pankaj Kumar Sahani was supposed to receive the drug consignment in Ludhiana and then channel it to the final buyers in the distribution network.
Wider Network and Ongoing Investigation
The NCB's work is far from over with this seizure. Officials have emphasized that the focus is now on tracing and apprehending the supplier, Pankaj Kumar Sahani, to dismantle the supply chain at its source. A major effort is underway to identify and map the wider trafficking network connecting Bihar to Punjab, which utilizes the railway system for transportation.
This seizure at one of North India's major railway hubs underscores the ongoing challenges and the proactive efforts of narcotics agencies in curbing the flow of illegal drugs across state lines. The NCB's operation has successfully disrupted a significant supply line, preventing a large quantity of ganja from reaching its intended market in Punjab.
