DRI seizes 104.9 kg ganja in Bihar, arrests two under NDPS Act
Synopsis
The DRI's Lucknow Zonal Unit has seized 104.9 kg of ganja and arrested two people in Bihar — the latest in a string of busts that have netted drugs worth ₹46.5 crore and 31 arrests in the state over a single year. A parallel crackdown under 'Operation Chakravyuh' in Kerala seized over 24 kg of narcotics and led to five more arrests, underscoring how traffickers are exploiting baggage, courier, and export cargo channels.
Key Takeaways
The DRI seized 104.9 kg of ganja in Bihar and arrested two accused on Saturday under the NDPS Act, 1985 .
The DRI Lucknow Zonal Unit has seized drugs worth nearly ₹46.5 crore and arrested 31 persons in Bihar over the past year.
Past Bihar seizures include 6 kg of cocaine, 1,277.81 kg of ganja, and 8,012 bottles of diverted codeine-based cough syrups.
Under 'Operation Chakravyuh' , the DRI's Cochin Unit seized over 24 kg of drugs across Kochi , Malappuram , and Thiruvananthapuram , arresting five persons .
Traffickers are reportedly using passenger baggage, courier consignments, and export cargo to smuggle contraband.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 104.9 kg of ganja (cannabis) in Bihar and arrested two accused in connection with the haul, officials confirmed. The arrests were made on Saturday under the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, as part of the agency's sustained drive against narcotics trafficking.
What the Investigation Revealed
During questioning, the two accused reportedly admitted to being involved in the illicit transportation of the contraband. Officials did not disclose the specific route used, but the seizure is consistent with a pattern of ganja being trafficked through Bihar's road and rail networks.
DRI Lucknow Unit's Record Over the Past Year
The latest bust is part of a broader enforcement push by the DRI's Lucknow Zonal Unit, which has seized narcotics and psychotropic substances valued at nearly ₹46.5 crore in the illicit market in Bihar over the past year, leading to the arrest of 31 persons. According to an official statement, those seizures include 107.5 kg of charas, 1,277.81 kg of ganja, 18.92 kg of high-grade hydroponic weed, 6 kg of cocaine, 112.8 grams of heroin, and 8,012 bottles of illegally diverted codeine-based cough syrups.
Operation Chakravyuh: Parallel Crackdown in Kerala
In a separate action, the DRI's Cochin Unit seized more than 24 kg of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances across Kerala under 'Operation Chakravyuh'. Coordinated operations were conducted at Kochi, Malappuram, and Thiruvananthapuram, resulting in the seizure of methaqualone, methamphetamine, and hashish oil. Five persons, including key operatives allegedly linked to trafficking networks, were arrested under the NDPS Act.
Smuggling Methods Growing More Sophisticated
According to the DRI, traffickers are increasingly exploiting multiple channels — including passenger baggage, courier consignments, and outbound export cargo — to move contraband. The agency said its coordinated operations are specifically designed to dismantle organised syndicates, in line with the Government of India's 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' (Drug-Free India) initiative.
With back-to-back operations in Bihar and Kerala, the DRI's enforcement tempo suggests a widening geographic sweep that could see further arrests in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
31 arrests, multiple substance categories — point to a state that has become a significant transit corridor rather than merely a consumption zone. The presence of cocaine and hydroponic weed alongside bulk ganja signals a supply chain that is diversifying upmarket. What the official statements do not address is the demand side: without parallel intervention in distribution networks and end-user markets, supply-side seizures alone are unlikely to break the chain. The simultaneous Kerala operation under a named codename suggests the DRI is moving toward more coordinated, intelligence-led enforcement — but the true test will be whether prosecutions under the NDPS Act result in convictions, not just arrests.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the DRI seize in Bihar and when?
The DRI seized 104.9 kg of ganja (cannabis) in Bihar and arrested two accused on Saturday. The arrests were made under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
How much have DRI's Bihar operations recovered in the past year?
The DRI's Lucknow Zonal Unit has seized narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances valued at nearly ₹46.5 crore in Bihar's illicit market over the past year, leading to 31 arrests. Seizures include cocaine, ganja, charas, heroin, hydroponic weed, and diverted cough syrups.
What is Operation Chakravyuh?
Operation Chakravyuh is a DRI enforcement operation conducted by the agency's Cochin Unit across Kerala. It resulted in the seizure of over 24 kg of narcotics — including methaqualone, methamphetamine, and hashish oil — and the arrest of five persons at Kochi, Malappuram, and Thiruvananthapuram.
How are drug traffickers smuggling narcotics, according to the DRI?
According to the DRI, traffickers are using increasingly sophisticated methods including passenger baggage, courier consignments, and outbound export cargo to move contraband across India.
What is the government's broader goal behind these DRI operations?
The DRI's operations are aligned with the Government of India's 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' (Drug-Free India) initiative, which aims to dismantle organised narcotics syndicates and curb drug trafficking nationwide.
