Excise seizes 116.37 kg of suspected ganja; 4 took place

Excise officials in Angamaly seized 116.37 kg of suspected ganja and arrested four persons allegedly involved in smuggling the contraband into Kerala from Odisha.

The arrested have been identified as Balbhadra Dharua, 30, Lakshman Patra, 39, Taraswer Patra, 36, and Pradeep Ghadei, 27. They were nabbed near Karukutty railway station while carrying 58 bundles of contraband packed in 11 bags, Deputy Commissioner PK Er Satish, Excisekulna, said.

The excise department has received confidential information that a large quantity of ganja is arriving for distribution in Angamaly and other parts of Ernakulam district. The carriers were promised a commission of ₹30,000 each. An investigation is underway to trace the supply chain and identify local transporters, Mr Satish said.

The call records of the accused are verified to trace the drug network. Ganja generally sells for around ₹500 per five grams in Ernakulam district, Excise sources said.

Published – 12 Jul 2026 22:32 IST