Gorakhpur: Gorakhpur police, in a joint operation with the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), arrested five alleged drug traffickers and seized 3.85 kg of hydroponic weed (high-grade cannabis) valued at around Rs 1.4 crore on Thursday.The accused were identified as Suraj Singh and Satyam Singh of Pratapgarh, Prince Patel of Navsari, Gujarat, Ratnam Trivedi of Surat, Gujarat, and Bhavin of Bhavnagar, Gujarat.According to police, ATS units from Varanasi and Gorakhpur, along with ANTF and Ramgarh Tal police, received information that a group was transporting hydroponic cannabis in a SUV for sale in the Ramgarh Tal area. Acting on the tip-off, the joint team set up a checkpoint near the LIC Building at Taramandal and intercepted the vehicle.During the search, police recovered 3.85 kg of hydroponic weed, five Android mobile phones, Rs 30,390 in cash and the Ertiga car used for transportation.A case has been registered at Ramgarh Tal police station under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, including Sections 8, 20, 29 and 60. The accused were taken into custody and further investigation is underway to trace the source of the contraband and identify other members of the network.Police said the seizure is among the biggest recoveries of high-value hydroponic cannabis in the region in recent months.
