The Sihor Police in Bhavnagar district discovered illegal cultivation in the boundary area of Sakhvadar and Sar villages, leading to the seizure of narcotic crops and related materials valued at more than Rs 10.92 crore. The seizure, made from an orchard on a slope in Sihor taluka, included 1,087.52 kilograms of green opium poppy plants, 26 kilograms of dried poppy husk, and 19 kilograms of green ganja plants.
Acting on a tip-off, a police team raided the orchard owned by two brothers early Sunday morning. The operation resulted in the recovery of two mobile phones, along with other items like mats, Aadhaar cards, land records, and clothing. The total estimated value of the seized narcotics amounts to Rs 10,92,85,300.
The accused, identified as Sanjaybhai Chauhan, 55, and Boghabhai Chauhan, 53, both residents of Sakhvadar village, are facing charges under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Legal proceedings against them are currently ongoing.
The recent seizure is part of a series of anti-narcotics operations in Gujarat. In a separate incident, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad and the Indian Coast Guard intercepted an Iranian-registered speedboat, leading to the recovery of suspected narcotic substances and the arrest of two Iranian nationals. Additionally, the Anti Narcotics Task Force in Ahmedabad seized mephedrone during a raid in the Khadia area, resulting in an arrest and ongoing investigations to uncover the contraband’s source and distribution network.
