Hybrid ganja seized by Ernakulam rural police valued at Rs 18 crore

Kochi: Hybrid ganja seized by Ernakulam rural police on Wednesday as part of Operation Toofan was estimated to have a street price of nearly Rs 18 crore.Speaking to the media on Thursday, Ernakulam range DIG G H Yathish Chandra said a detailed investigation has been launched.“The origin is indeed out of the country. We almost have an idea of how it was brought here, where did it come from and who all are behind it. Police are conducting the work relating to it as well,” said Chandra.According to police, it was a couple who were arrested with around 18kg of hybrid ganja. Police recorded arrest of Ayush, 39, and his wife Anika, 30, residents of Azheekal, Njarakkal.Police said Ayush was caught smuggling 1.16kg of hybrid cannabis on a motorcycle in Kunnuvazhi area of Marampally on Wednesday evening.

A subsequent search at their apartment in Kunnuvazhi led to seizure of another 16kg of hybrid cannabis, and his wife was arrested from the flat. Police said the couple started residing here on June 12. Investigation has been expanded to track down those who supplied them with the contraband, said police.Police said that this is one of the largest drug busts conducted in rural district.Police said antecedents of the couple are being verified to determine whether they were previously involved in narcotic deals, even as police couldn’t find such history in preliminary investigation.

Chandra said the couple is suspected to be wholesalers. He added that there should be links on levels above them as they could not have arranged such a huge quantity on their own.Chandra added that Ernakulam police range is building a comprehensive database of users, retailers and wholesalers to strengthen fight against drugs. He added that their objective is not to target drug users who should be put through de-addiction.

DIG emphasised that peddlers and networks behind the drug trade were their prime target.Investigation team was led by rural district police chief K S Sudarshan and included Dasnaf team. ASP Hardik Meena and Perumbavoor inspector L Anilkumar led the operation. SIs Asarif, Shefeek, Vishnu Murali, Jojo George, Subhash Thankappan and Abdul Jaleel, ASI Reni, senior CPOs M B Jayanthi and Nishad, and CPO Shan were part of the team.Man held for theftPalarivattom police arrested Salim Sikandar Sheikh, 59, of Aurangabad, Maharashtra, in connection with a burglary at an immigration consultancy firm located on the second floor of a six-storied commercial building in Chakkaraparambu. The accused allegedly broke open the glass front door, entered the office and pried open a drawer to steal over Rs 50,000 at 7.15pm on June 8.The thief entered the building right after the office staff left for the day.

The accused also attempted burglaries at other offices located within the building. Employees from another office noticed the shattered glass pieces and alerted the owner.Palarivattom police were informed immediately, a case was registered and an investigation was launched. By analysing CCTV footage, police identified the suspect with the assistance of Mumbai police. After the burglary, the accused travelled from Kochi to Kannur, where he was apprehended with the help of Kannur police. The accused reportedly has around 30 burglary cases registered against him across Mumbai and Maharashtra, said police.