In a significant drug bust, the Kosamba police in Surat have arrested four individuals in connection with the smuggling of cannabis. The seized goods, including the illicit substance, vehicles, and mobile phones, were valued at a total of 82.12 lakh rupees.
Acting on a specific tip-off, the police successfully intercepted a consignment of 752.649 kg of cannabis, valued at approximately Rs 75.26 lakh. This substantial stash was found concealed in vehicles at the Shiv Shakti Residency, situated on the periphery of Kunwarda village.
The arrested individuals were identified as Kedarnath Prakash Chandra Mahanty, Balaram Koraprasad Mahanty, Shivram Bhaskar Gowda, and Santosh Bapuji Mahanty. Alongside the cannabis, the police seized five vehicles valued at Rs 5.50 lakh, eight mobile phones worth Rs 99,500, and Rs 36,670 in cash.
Following the apprehension and subsequent interrogation of the arrested suspects, the police have declared two additional individuals as wanted: Gauri Shankar Prakashchandra Mahanty and a person identified only as KRT.
Investigations revealed that Kedarnath Prakashchandra Mahanty was involved in both retail and wholesale sales of cannabis. His brother, the wanted suspect Gaurishankar Prakashchandra Mahanty, allegedly obtained the cannabis from the wanted Orissa-based supplier, K.R.T. The police discovered that Kedarnath employed Shivram, Santosh, and Balaram to distribute the sizable quantity of cannabis, which was transported using a variety of vehicles, including a small truck (Chhota Hathi Tempo), an Alto car, an Activa, and a friend's bike.
The apprehended batch of cannabis, believed to be sourced by Gaurishankar from K.R.T., had been hidden inside a truck at the Shivshakti Residency, a property rented under Gaurishankar's name. The suspects were allegedly using this location as a hub for wholesale and retail distribution.
Kosamba police have registered a case regarding this incident and continue to investigate it thoroughly, hoping to apprehend the remaining wanted suspects.
