In a significant crackdown on the illegal transportation of narcotics via railway routes, the Anuppur Kotwali police in Madhya Pradesh have arrested an Odisha-based smuggler. The arrest took place on Tuesday following a tip-off regarding suspicious movement near the Chhulha railway station, which falls under the Anuppur district. During the operation, authorities seized over 6 kilograms of ganja and a mobile phone from the suspect, who is now facing charges under the NDPS Act.
Key details of the police operation include:
• The accused has been identified as 33-year-old Madan Mahanandia from Boudh district, Odisha.
• Police recovered **6.355 kilograms of ganja** packed in six separate packets inside a trolley suitcase.
• The estimated market value of the seized contraband is approximately **Rs 60,300**.
• A mobile phone worth **Rs 15,000** was also confiscated to track the smuggling network.
• The suspect was presented before a local court and has since been sent to judicial custody.
Details of the Operation
Acting on specific intelligence that a man carrying a trolley suitcase was moving from the Chhulha railway station towards Anuppur Basti, a police team led by Kotwali TI Ashok Sanjay Ekka set up a perimeter near an under-construction building on the Anuppur-Chhulha road. Upon spotting the police, the suspect attempted to act suspiciously, leading to his immediate detention. A thorough search of his luggage revealed the hidden narcotics.
Ongoing Investigation
The Anuppur police are currently analyzing the digital evidence retrieved from the suspect’s mobile phone to dismantle the wider smuggling network. Investigators are working to identify the intended recipients of the consignment in Anuppur and are probing potential local links to this illicit trade. The successful operation was carried out by a dedicated team including Assistant Sub-Inspector Komal Arjaria, Head Constables Sheikh Rashid, Nitin Namdev, Rajesh Kanwar, Prakash Tiwari, and Constable Abdul Kaleem, among others. Railway authorities continue to remain vigilant as transit points like Chhulha station are being increasingly monitored to curb the movement of illegal substances across state borders.