Ahmedabad, May 20 (IANS) The Ahmedabad police have arrested a 26-year-old man and seized 1.975 kg of hybrid ganja, along with a luxury car and other valuables worth Rs 79.67 lakh, during a targeted operation near Vijay Cross Roads in the city, officials said on Wednesday.

The action was carried out by the Crime Branch’s Special Operations Group (SOG) based on specific intelligence inputs about the alleged illegal trafficking and sale of narcotic substances.

Senior officers had directed intensified enforcement against drug-related activities in Ahmedabad.

Acting on the instructions, teams led by Police Inspectors K.D. Gohil and A.B. Bhatt conducted patrolling near Memnagar Fire Station behind the Municipal Garden area.

During the operation, officers intercepted a Mercedes-Benz car on a public road and detained its occupant.

The accused has been identified as Hardik Kalal, aged 26, a resident of Swastik Residency in Naranpura and originally from Dungarpur, Rajasthan.

Police said a search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 1.975 kg of hybrid ganja, valued at Rs 69.12 lakh.

A mobile phone and other items were also seized, taking the total value of recovered property to Rs 79.67 lakh.

A case has been registered at DCB Police Station under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(b) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) S.S. Ninama said the operation was based on credible intelligence regarding the movement of narcotics into the city.

“On instructions from senior officers, the SOG team was patrolling the area when information was received that Hardik Kalal and Pradeep Kalal were involved in bringing hybrid ganja from outside Gujarat for illegal sale,” he said.

He added that the raid was conducted at the identified location in the presence of independent witnesses.

“During the search of a Mercedes-Benz car, 1.975 kg of hybrid ganja was recovered. Along with the vehicle and mobile phones, property worth Rs 79,67,500 was seized. Preliminary investigation suggests the involvement of four accused persons in the offence. Further investigation is underway,” he said.

Police said efforts are continuing to identify other members of the alleged network and to trace the source and distribution chain of the seized narcotics.

–IANS

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