In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, police in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district have exposed a well-organized ganja smuggling network. The operation led to the arrest of four individuals, including the key accused who had married into a family of traffickers from Odisha. Over 36 kilograms of illegal ganja were recovered during the bust, shedding light on a growing inter-state nexus.

The main accused, Alakhram Kushwaha, a resident of Hamirpur, allegedly built the smuggling network after marrying a woman from a notorious ganja-dealing family in Odisha. According to the police, Kushwaha collaborated with his brother-in-law, father-in-law, and another associate to transport ganja from Odisha to Uttar Pradesh. The group used trains to transport the contraband and had established a regular supply chain targeting Banda and its surrounding areas.

Acting on a tip-off, Matoundh police launched a raid and successfully apprehended all four suspects. The seized ganja has been sent for forensic testing, and authorities are now investigating the wider reach of the network. Police officials have stated that this may be part of a larger trafficking chain with links across multiple states. The interrogation of the accused is expected to reveal further names and connections.

This bust marks a major step in curbing the illegal drug trade in the region. Officials have commended the swift action by local police and emphasized the need for increased surveillance along inter-state transport routes. Further legal proceedings are underway, and more arrests are likely in the coming days.