Secret Cavities, Huge Haul: DRI Foils 591 kg Ganja Smuggling Plot
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence intercepted a truck in Uttar Pradesh, seizing 591.3 kg of cannabis hidden in secret compartments.
In a high-stakes intelligence operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has successfully intercepted a massive shipment of narcotics, seizing 591.3 kg of ganja (cannabis) smuggled from Nepal. The operation, which unfolded between October 17 and 18, 2026, in Uttar Pradesh, revealed the sophisticated methods traffickers are using to bypass security checkpoints.
A Coordinated Intelligence Strike
The crackdown began when the DRI received specific intelligence regarding a truck transporting contraband from Nepal, intended to enter Uttar Pradesh via the Sonauli border. To ensure the traffickers did not slip through, the DRI orchestrated a wide-scale surveillance network. While officers in Gorakhpur led the charge, supporting teams were strategically positioned in Lucknow, Patna, and Varanasi to monitor potential escape routes and movements.
The operation required immense patience and precision. After more than four hours of sustained surveillance, the officers successfully identified the suspect vehicle. The truck was intercepted on the road connecting Gorakhpur and Kushinagar.
Sophisticated Concealment Tactics
Upon stopping the vehicle, DRI officers conducted a meticulous search, knowing that standard cargo areas often hide deeper secrets. Their suspicions were confirmed when they discovered two specially engineered concealed cavities designed to hide the drugs from plain sight:
- The Hood: One fabricated compartment was hidden above the vehicle's hood.
- The Cabin: A second secret cavity was built behind the driver’s seat.
Inside these hidden spaces, officers found 81 packets of ganja. The total weight of the seized cannabis amounted to 591.3 kg.
Legal Action and Enforcement
Following the discovery, the entire consignment of narcotics and the truck used for the smuggling operation were seized. The action was taken under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
According to the Ministry of Finance, this operation highlights the DRI's commitment to dismantling narcotics supply chains. By detecting these sophisticated concealment techniques and maintaining vigilance over cross-border trafficking routes, the agency continues to disrupt the flow of illegal substances into the country.