Bhopal: Two Inter-State Smugglers Held With 30.700 Kg Marijuana Worth ₹16 Lakh

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Crime Branch on Friday arrested two inter-state marijuana smugglers and seized over 30 kilograms of the contraband concealed in a specially designed cavity of their SUV.

The arrested persons were involved in smuggling of marijuana for the last 8 years and their network is spread to six states in the country, police officials said.

Additional DCP (crime) Shailendra Singh Chauhan said police received inputs that two individuals in a white vehicle were waiting near Saroj Memorial School, Bairagarh Kalan with a consignment of marijuana to sell. Acting promptly on information, the Crime Branch team arrived at the spot.

Two persons matching description were found sitting inside and were apprehended. Upon questioning, they were identified as Deepak Savita (40) and his brother-in-law Mukesh Kumar Rathore (52) of Bairagarh Kalan, Bhopal.

On searching the vehicle, a hidden compartment was found beneath the middle seat. Six brown-taped packets were recovered, which the suspects admitted jointly belonged to them. Upon inspection, the packets were confirmed to contain marijuana weighing 30.700 kg.

The vehicle and two mobile phones used in the operation were seized. Legal action will also be taken against vehicle modification under Motor Vehicles Act and an inquiry into the accused's assets will be conducted, Chauhan added.

Crime Branch Bhopal seized 2 quintals cannabis so far

In 2025, Crime Branch Bhopal has so far seized 2 quintals of cannabis from 36 accused. Police officials said that arrested accused have been involved in marijuana smuggling for the last 8 years and were linked to an inter-state drug trafficking network active in six states.

They were previously arrested for smuggling in Jagdalpur and Kanpur. The accused drove the SUV 2000 km from Hisar, Haryana to Bhopal.