Raipur
Mahasamund Police have achieved a major breakthrough against interstate drug trafficking by arresting the alleged kingpin of an Odisha–Uttar Pradesh cannabis smuggling syndicate. The accused, Vinay Kumar Sharma alias Pandit Ji (50), a resident of Kulmali village in Shamli district, Uttar Pradesh, was arrested on June 17.
According to police, Sharma operates more than 10 liquor vends across Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and allegedly used these legitimate businesses as a cover for large-scale cannabis trafficking.
The arrest followed an extensive technical investigation led by the Mahasamund Superintendent of Police. Investigators analyzed WhatsApp communications, Google-based digital evidence, and other forensic leads to identify the alleged mastermind and trace the syndicate’s supply chain. A special team from Basna Police Station arrested Sharma in Shamli and secured a four-day transit remand to bring him to Chhattisgarh for further interrogation.
912.760 Kg Cannabis Hidden Under Banana Consignment
The case originated on April 17, 2026, when police intercepted an Eicher transport vehicle (AP-39-TT-4556) at the Palsapali check-post. During the search, officers recovered 912.760 kilograms of cannabis, valued at approximately ₹4.56 crore, concealed beneath a consignment of raw bananas.
Police also seized four fake registration plates, including OD-02-DJ-8517 and UP-93-CT-8365, which were allegedly used to avoid detection during transportation.
Investigators said the contraband was sourced from Kandhamal district in Odisha and was being transported to Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, on Sharma’s instructions.
A case has been registered by Basna Police and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) under Sections 20(B)(ii)(C) and 29 of the NDPS Act, along with Sections 336(2), 338, and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Four Syndicate Members Arrested Earlier
Police had previously arrested four alleged members of the trafficking network:
- Abdul Naim – Driver and carrier from Jharkhand, arrested on April 17.
- Ram Kumar Singh alias Ramji Thakur – Identified as the main intermediary, arrested on April 24.
- Ramakant Behera – Supplier from Kandhamal, Odisha, arrested on April 24.
- Bablu Nayak – Another supplier from Kandhamal district, arrested on May 14.
‘Source-to-Destination’ Enforcement Strategy
Police said the operation highlights Mahasamund district’s “source-to-destination” enforcement model, which focuses on dismantling entire narcotics supply chains rather than merely seizing drug consignments.
According to official data, Mahasamund Police have registered 110 NDPS cases in 2026. In 65 investigations, authorities have pursued end-to-end crackdowns targeting suppliers, transporters, financiers, and intended recipients, aiming to completely disrupt interstate drug trafficking networks.
Important Words (Bold Keywords)
Mahasamund Police, Interstate Drug Trafficking, Cannabis Smuggling Syndicate, Vinay Kumar Sharma, Pandit Ji, Shamli, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Technical Investigation, WhatsApp Communications, Digital Evidence, Basna Police Station, Transit Remand, 912.760 Kg Cannabis, ₹4.56 Crore, Raw Bananas, Fake Registration Plates, Kandhamal District, NDPS Act, ANTF, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Source-to-Destination Strategy, Narcotics Supply Chain, Interstate Drug Network.
