Tatanagar Railway Station became the scene of a successful anti-drug operation as a joint team of the Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police apprehended a ganja smuggler. The coordinated action led to the recovery of 17 kilograms of cannabis, with an estimated market value of ₹8.5 lakh. The arrested individual, identified as Uday Kumar alias Mantu from Palamu district, was found to be transporting the illegal substance. Investigations indicate the ganja was sourced from Jarapada station in the Sambalpur railway division of Odisha. The smuggler’s plan was to distribute the drugs by first reaching Daltonganj and then utilizing bus transport. Authorities had received specific intelligence regarding the suspect’s movements, enabling the joint team to strategically position themselves. The suspect was apprehended in the act near the ticket counter shortly after arriving by train. The seized contraband was found in his luggage. During questioning, the accused admitted to his long-term participation in the illegal ganja trade. Law enforcement agencies are now investigating his communication networks and financial transactions to identify other potential collaborators and disrupt the entire smuggling operation. Enhanced vigilance is being implemented at the station to combat the rise in trafficking.
