Varanasi: Sonbhadra police arrested two men for transporting ganja as part of an interstate smuggling network. Police recovered two quintals and 850 grams of ganja, packed in 195 packets, from an XUV vehicle.The ganja seized is estimated to be worth over ₹1 crore, while the total value of the recovery, including the vehicle and other items, is estimated at around ₹1.1 crore.Sonbhadra SP Abhishek Verma said the arrested accused were identified as Umesh Ahirwar (23) and Mahipal Pal (23), both residents of Mahoba district.Police personnel from Pipri police station were checking suspicious vehicles and persons in the area when an XUV on Murdhwa-Rantola road, around two km from Murdhwa, allegedly attempted to turn back and flee after spotting the police team. The vehicle was surrounded and stopped.Police found ganja concealed under the rear seat and in the boot of the vehicle. Police said the accused were using fake number plates to avoid detection during checking.A case was registered at Pipri police station under Sections 8/20/27A/29/60 of the NDPS Act and Sections 318(4), 336(2), 336(3) and 340(2) of the BNS.During interrogation, the accused told police they were asked to transport ganja from Odisha to Mahoba and were promised ₹20,000 each per trip. They also allegedly admitted to having delivered ganja once or twice earlier. According to police, the accused said they had left Odisha on Sept 29 with the consignment for Mahoba.Police said different number plates were being used on the vehicle to mislead law enforcement agencies. Further investigation is underway to identify others involved in the smuggling network.
