Three-member gang held for smuggling ganja in Ranipet

A 36-year-old woman from Odisha was among three drug-peddlers arrested by Walajah police in Ranipet for possession of 42 kg of ganja on Monday.

Police said the arrested persons were identified as S. Mahendra Sahu, 36, a native of Odisha, Mohammed Basha, 35, from Vellore, and Mohammed Asheem Khan, 21, a resident of Kerala. On orders of Ayman Jamal, SP, Ranipet, special teams were formed as part of a crackdown on drug trafficking in the district.

Following an alert, special police teams were involved in surprise vehicle checks at public places, like bus terminus and railway stations in the district, when they saw the trio loitering near Walajah Road railway station in a suspicious manner.

During an inquiry, the trio gave contradictory answers on the purpose of their travel. On searching their bags, the police found 42 kg of ganja in them. A case was registered by the Walajah police.

The arrested persons were lodged at Central Prison in Vellore. Police said that strict action would be taken against those smuggling drugs into the State. It was found that the seized ganja was meant to be sold in retail among workers in industrial sites in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Puducherry. A probe is under way.