Authorities have arrested Bajrang Singh, a former NSG commando, who became a key figure in an illegal cannabis smuggling ring operating between Rajasthan, Odisha, and Telangana. Singh, previously a member of the NSG team that responded to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was apprehended in Ratangarh, Churu. During the arrest, police seized 200 kilograms of cannabis. Singh, a resident of Rajasthan’s Sikar district, had been the subject of an intensive search operation and a 25,000-rupee reward. The arrest was the result of ‘Operation Ganjane,’ a joint initiative by the Rajasthan ATS and Anti-Narcotics Task Force. The operation to capture Singh lasted two months, guided by intelligence that he only employed Odia chefs who cooked his meals. Further information from the chefs’ relatives provided crucial technical details, facilitating the arrest. Following his retirement, Singh turned to drug trafficking, allegedly after facing political setbacks, rapidly becoming a large-scale cannabis smuggler. Police believe that this arrest will disrupt drug trafficking. It is hoped that it will help stop the large-scale illegal drug trade from Odisha and Telangana into Rajasthan. After completing his 10th grade, Singh joined the NSG and was part of the commando unit that responded to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Following his retirement in 2021, he became involved in organized drug trafficking.
