Duo held for transporting 18 kg ganja from Odisha to Secunderabad

Two persons were arrested with 18 kilograms of dry ganja worth ₹9.14 lakh while they were transporting the banned substance from Balugaon in Odisha to Secunderabad during an operation by the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) at Secunderabad Railway Station.

The accused were identified as 25-year-old Abhishek Singh alias Golu Singh, a native of Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh, and 23-year-old Abhishek Kumar Singh alias Abinash, a hotel worker from Kolkata. Police said the two are relatives.

On Thursday, GRP and RPF sleuths jointly conducted surprise checks targeting drug peddlers on platforms and trains at Secunderabad Railway Station. During the operation, they apprehended the two accused.

According to investigators, the prime accused, identified as Digal of Chilka in Odisha, is absconding. Police said that about two months ago, Abhishek Singh had travelled to Bhubaneswar in search of employment, where he came into contact with Digal, who disclosed that he was engaged in illegal transportation of ganja to various States, and was making substantial profits.

Lured by an offer of ₹15,000 per trip, Abhishek Singh allegedly agreed to assist in transporting the contraband. On Tuesday, Digal instructed him to bring another trusted associate, promising payment of ₹15,000 to each person. Abhishek Singh then contacted Abinash, who agreed to join him.

As per the plan, both accused met at Bhubaneswar Railway Station and boarded the Konark Express with general tickets bound for Secunderabad. On Wednesday, at Balugaon Railway Station, Digal allegedly handed over two bags containing 18.288 kilograms of ganja and instructed them to deliver the consignment at Secunderabad Railway Station. They were told to wait in the general waiting hall, where an associate would collect the contraband.

The duo reached Secunderabad Railway Station at about 11.30 a.m. on Thursday and proceeded to the waiting hall. At around noon, the railway police apprehended them and seized the ganja valued at ₹9,14,400. Efforts are under way to trace the absconding accused.