
The Narcotics Intelligence Bureau-Criminal Investigation Department (NIB-CID) on Wednesday arrested two men from Karur district in Tamil Nadu for growing ganja plants in the middle of an agricultural plot. In the seven acre field, a certain portion was used to grow ganja, reports ToI. Two people were arrested in connection with the crime.
According to TNIE, the plot had 250 kg of ganja ready for harvest and was worth Rs.12.4 lakh. The raid was carried out by a seven member NIB-CID team and local police. The lands reportedly belongs to Zahir Hussain who resides in Bengaluru. ToI states that he had leased the land out to a man named Arunachalam from Theni district. Arunachalam along with his father-in-law Thangavel have been arrested. Police are also looking out for Hussain. The team of officials reportedly destroyed 70% of the ganja crop they found.
This comes just days after the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) JK Tripathy pointed out that ganja consumption had increased on the state.
On Monday, the Southern Regional Police Coordination Committee meeting of officers heading the Narcotic Enforcement Wings was convened by the state Narcotic Intelligence Bureau. Police officers from all southern states were present in the meeting.
Delivering a speech at the venue, the DGP said that ganja consumption has increased in the state and stressed on preventive measures to thwart youngsters from getting trapped in this menace.
According to The Hindu, Shakeel Akhter, Additional Director General of Police, Crime, requested the southern regional officers to take effective steps to form a 'narcotics-free South India'.
Officers discussed the need to create a common platform to pass on information about the drug trade and also discussed the use of online platforms to peddle drugs.