Three arrested with ganja worth ₹20.56 million at Secunderabad railway station

Officers from the Government Railway Police (GRP) hold a press conference on the case. | Photo credit: By arrangement

Three persons, including a 17-year-old boy, were arrested for allegedly transporting 41.131 kg ganja worth ₹20.56 lakh from Odisha to Maharashtra during a joint operation by Government Railway Police (GRP), EAGLE Force and Railway Protection Force (RPF) at Secunderabad railway station on Sunday.

The arrested accused have been identified as Mahesh Dilip Wandhare, 25, and Kartik Chandrakant Ambe, 30, along with a 17-year-old boy, all from Nagpur. They were arrested and brought before the Juvenile Justice Court. Police have identified the alleged contractor as Sanju Sahu of Balangir, Odisha, who is absconding.

According to investigators, the trio was transporting contraband from Balangir to Nagpur via Secunderabad. Police said Mahesh allegedly came in contact with Sanju Sahu around two months ago when he was offered ₹5,000 for each trip transporting marijuana. Later, he tied up Kartik and the youth subsequently joined the operation.

On July 3, the accused allegedly collected 40 packets of marijuana from a supplier at Balangir railway station. Mahesh hid 20 packets in a suitcase on a trolley and a backpack, while Kartik and the juvenile carried 10 packets each in separate backpacks.

All three traveled by Nagavali Express and reached Charlapally railway station on 4th July. As instructed by the contractor, they later proceeded to Secunderabad Railway Station on Sunday to board the Dakshin Express to Nagpur.

As the train was due to leave later that night, they waited with their luggage in the general waiting room. During surprise checks conducted at about 2:30 p.m., officers interviewed the trio, who allegedly admitted the bags contained marijuana.

Police seized 41.131 kg of marijuana worth ₹20,56,550. The case was registered according to § 8 letter c) as amended by § 20 letter b) point ii) point C of the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 and Section 78 of the Juvenile Justice Act 2015. Efforts are being made to apprehend the fugitive supplier.

Published – 06 Jul 2026 19:11 IST