In a major crackdown under 'Operation Dahan', approximately 13 quintals (1,300 kg) of ganja (cannabis) valued at Rs 6.50 crore were destroyed at a brick kiln in Prayagraj. The operation was carried out by a joint team of the Handia police and the Narcotics Task Force in the presence of a high-level committee.
Background of the Seizure
Officials stated that the special anti-narcotics campaign, titled 'Operation Dahan', is being conducted under the directive of the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh. Earlier, the Handia police had seized a large quantity of cannabis and arrested the accused involved. A case was registered at Handia Police Station under Sections 8/20/29 of the NDPS Act. The seized narcotic substance was sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for testing in accordance with legal procedures. The test results confirmed that the seized material was an illicit NDPS substance (cannabis).
Investigation and Charge Sheet
After completing a thorough investigation into the case, the Handia Police submitted the charge sheet to the concerned court on July 21, 2025. To ensure the complete disposal of the large quantity of seized illicit narcotics, the Prayagraj Police Commissionerate completed the necessary legal proceedings under Section 52A of the NDPS Act before the court. Following the court's orders and as part of the subsequent procedure, formal permission for destruction was obtained from the Director General of Police (DGP), Uttar Pradesh, and the Inspector General of Police, Anti-Narcotics Task Force (IGNTF).
Execution of the Destruction
The Narcotics Task Force (Crime Branch) team of the Prayagraj Police Commissionerate played a pivotal role in successfully executing this large-scale destruction operation. A high-level committee was constituted by the Police Commissioner to ensure strict adherence to the updated provisions and guidelines of the NDPS Act throughout the entire process. Under the committee's close supervision and in its presence, the operation commenced on June 4, 2026. After three hours of intensive effort, the entire consignment of 13 quintals of cannabis was transported—under a heavy security cordon—to a brick kiln recognized by the Air Pollution Control Board, where it was incinerated (completely destroyed by burning) in the kiln.
About the Author
Kapil Dixit writes on crime, traffic, health, administration, politics, and offbeat stories from Prayagraj. He has extensively covered the Maha Kumbh, Ardh Kumbh, and Magh Melas, as well as state assembly and parliamentary polls from 2002 to 2025. His hobbies include reading, writing, and meeting people with diverse interests.
