Jharkhand: 146 kg cannabis hidden in maida bags seized in Latehar, three arrested
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, August 10: In an unusual attempt to evade police detection, a consignment of 146 kg of cannabis…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, August 10: In an unusual attempt to evade police detection, a consignment of 146 kg of cannabis was allegedly concealed in bags labelled as refined wheat flour () and transported through Latehar district. Balumath police intercepted the vehicle during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday and arrested three persons in connection with the seizure.
The cannabis was packed in 37 packets and concealed inside six maida bags, apparently to make the consignment appear to be an ordinary edible commodity and evade police scrutiny.
The seized narcotics are estimated to be worth around ₹22 lakh in the market.
Luxury Car Intercepted at Makaiyya Tarn
According to police, the Balumath police team, led by SDPO Umesh Prasad Singh, intercepted a luxury car at the Makaiyya Tarn police picket during a road-checking operation.
Three persons travelling in the vehicle were arrested. They have been identified as Rahul Bhaisal, 22, Kalamuddin, 22, and Santosh Bahera, 23. All three are residents of Jharsuguda in Odisha.
Police suspect that the consignment was being transported from Odisha to Bihar through Balumath in Latehar district.
Recce Vehicle Driver Flees
SDPO Umesh Prasad Singh said the luxury car was allegedly being preceded by a recce vehicle—a Bolero—intended to alert the occupants about police checking.
The driver of the Bolero managed to flee from the spot after the police intercepted the consignment. However, the police seized the Bolero as well.
During the operation, police recovered 146 kg of cannabis, the luxury car allegedly used for transporting the contraband, the Bolero and three mobile phones.
Police Launched Checking After Tip-Off
According to sources, Latehar Superintendent of Police Kumar Gaurav had received information about a vehicle allegedly carrying cannabis through the area.
Acting on the tip-off, police launched a road-checking operation near the Makaiyya Tarn police picket. The suspected vehicle was subsequently intercepted, leading to the seizure of the cannabis and the arrest of the three occupants.
Police are now investigating the source of the narcotics, the intended recipients and the wider network involved in transporting the consignment from Odisha to Bihar.
The three arrested accused are being questioned as part of the investigation, while efforts are also underway to identify and trace the Bolero driver who fled from the spot.
