The Government Railway Police at the Secunderabad Railway Station on Monday arrested three for allegedly smuggling ganja from Visakhapatnam to Agra, by train. The accused who arrived in Secunderabad via Duronto Express from Visakhapatnam, reportedly shifted to a first-class coach of the Rajdhani Express, which was on its way to New Delhi. 136 kg of ganja, estimated to be worth over Rs 20 lakh, was seized from their possession.
The GRP said that they climbed aboard the train at around 10 am on Monday when it reached Secunderabad, based on a tip-off. The accused were identified as Rajesh, Ayush and Shaik. Visuals show that the accused had stuffed the contraband into suitcases and bags, up to the brim.
Speaking to the media, G Ashok Kumar, superintendent of Railway Police, said that Shaik was working in Vizag as an AC coach attendant, while both Rajesh and Ayush hailed from Uttar Pradesh. Investigation officials also said that they planned to sell the substance in Uttar Pradesh, and mainly in Agra.
“They were travelling in A-1 coach of the Rajdhani Express from Visakhapatnam to Agra for selling the contraband to customers. They were apprehended at Secunderabad railway station along with four trolley bags five luggage bags containing 136 kg of ganja approximately worth of Rs 20.4 lakh,” Ashok Kumar was quoted as saying.
"We are also seeing if a larger gang is at work and if there are more people behind the accused. A detailed investigation will be carried out and strict action will be taken. We appeal to the public not to carry any banned items on trains in this manner as they will be arrested," he added.
Stating that it was the first time that authorities had made such an arrest, the senior official said that further investigation was underway and more details about the nexus would be revealed soon. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.