Four Held with 10 Kg of Suspected Ganja in Kochi’s Perumbavoor

Swift Summary

• Ernakulam rural police action: Four persons were arrested for possessing 10 kilograms of suspected ganja near Vattakkattupady, Perumbavoor.
• Accused details: The arrested individuals are Paderippada Seetharam Digal (43),Pola Digal (45),jimmy Digal (38),and Renjith Digal (55)-all from Odisha.
• Smuggling route: Suspected ganja was reportedly smuggled by train from Odisha to Aluva, followed by transport via public vehicles to their rented house in Kerala.
• Arrest operation specifics: Police intercepted them at the Perumbavoor KSRTC bus stand based on a tip-off given to District Police Chief M. Hemalatha. The arrest was conducted by a special squad under the supervision of the Assistant Superintendent of Police.
• Modus operandi: Reports suggest that ganja sourced at ₹3,000/kg in Odisha was sold for ₹25,000/kg locally in Kerala. The accused had visited Kerala periodically and rented accommodation while posing as workers in a plywood factory.
• Further investigation ongoing.

Indian opinion Analysis

The seizure highlights ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in dealing with inter-state drug smuggling operations. This incident not only exposes vulnerabilities across transport networks but also emphasizes how organized groups exploit legitimate housing arrangements and employment disguises to avoid detection.

Given its reported frequency-monthly visits by the suspects-it suggests systematic trafficking involving planned logistics rather than isolated activities. For Kerala, known for its significant migrant workforce and busy transportation hubs like Aluva, continuous vigilance remains critical for identifying similar threats without impacting genuine labor movements or interstate relations.

The case also underscores potential economic incentives driving such illicit activities: high profit margins may lure offenders despite strict legal consequences. Moving forward, sustained intelligence-sharing between states like Odisha and Kerala seems necessary for addressing such recurring patterns effectively.

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