RPF seizes 18.15 kg ganja from AC coach of Puri-LTT Express at Nagpur, one held

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) in the Nagpur division of South East Central Railway has seized 18.15 kg of ganja from two bags of a passenger travelling in an air-conditioned coach of train number 12146 Puri-LTT Express. The seized ganja is valued at Rs 9,07,500.

The accused has been identified as Dharmendra Manjika Mehar (28), a resident of Baldiamal in Odisha's Kalahandi district.

A special team of the RPF Nagpur crime intelligence branch was patrolling the train in plainclothes. As the train passed between Salwa and Kamthi, RPF personnel noticed a pungent smell coming from two bags kept under berth 48 in the second AC coach A1.

After lengthy questioning, Dharmendra, who was sitting on that seat, admitted that both bags were his. He said he had boarded the train at Katabhaji and was headed to Nashik.

When the train reached Nagpur station, Dharmendra was taken off at platform 8 along with both bags. The NDPS team examined the bags and confirmed they held 18.15 kg of ganja in all, again valued at Rs 9,07,500.

Dharmendra was then formally arrested and questioned. Asked about his ticket, he said he had deleted the e-ticket from his mobile phone. However, when the ticket examiner verified the PNR number he gave, it emerged that he was travelling on a valid ticket to Nashik.

He was reportedly to pick up the consignment in Nashik and deliver it in Mumbai. The RPF handed over the seized contraband and the accused to the Lohmarg police (railway police) for further investigation.

The RPF said its special drive against drug smuggling by train will continue. With the festival season approaching, vigilance has been stepped up on all major trains and sensitive stations passing through the Nagpur division. Suspicious passengers and their luggage are being checked closely.