Daijiworld Media Network - Kochi

Kochi, Oct 15: Police seized more than 30 kg of ganja worth around Rs 50 lakh from a man in Kaloor, Kochi, on Thursday as part of the anti-narcotics drive Operation Toofan.

The arrested person has been identified as Abdul Hai Molla, 22, a native of Murshidabad district in West Bengal.

According to police, Molla allegedly travelled from West Bengal to Odisha, procured ganja at a lower price and transported it to Kerala for supply to wholesale dealers. He reportedly travelled to Vijayawada before boarding another train to Ernakulam Junction.

He was apprehended while travelling towards Kaloor early on Thursday, police said.

Investigators suspect that the accused was a key link in a network transporting ganja from Odisha to Kerala. Police are investigating who had ordered the consignment and said the accused had been under surveillance for some time.

The arrest was made by a District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) team led by Assistant Commissioner Ananthalal.

The accused and the seized ganja were handed over to the North police station, where a case has been registered, police added.