317 kg ganja worth ₹3.17 crore seized in Bengaluru; two Kerala men arrested
Synopsis
Two men from Kerala were intercepted in Bengaluru with 317 kg of ganja worth ₹3.17 crore on the street, allegedly bought cheaply in Odisha for resale in Kerala. The three-state drug run — using a rented self-drive car as cover — points to an organised supply network that police are now working to dismantle.
Key Takeaways
Kumbalgodu police in Bengaluru arrested two Kerala men on 12 October 2026 for allegedly transporting ganja across state lines.
Approximately 317 kg of ganja was seized, along with the car used to transport it.
The contraband has a procured value of ₹1.78 crore and an estimated street value of ₹3.17 crore .
The accused allegedly sourced the drug in Odisha and planned to sell it in Kumaramanagalam, Kerala .
A case has been registered under the NDPS Act ; police are pursuing other members of the alleged supply network.
The Kumbalgodu police in Bengaluru arrested two men from Kerala on 12 October 2026 for allegedly smuggling 317 kg of ganja through the city en route from Odisha to Kerala, seizing the contraband along with the vehicle used to transport it. The seized narcotics carry a procured value of ₹1.78 crore and an estimated street market value of ₹3.17 crore, according to police.
How the Operation Unfolded
Acting on credible intelligence received on 11 October, police registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act after inputs indicated a large consignment of cannabis was being ferried from Odisha through Bengaluru in a private car. A police team was deployed along the suspect route, and on 12 October, officers intercepted the vehicle near Eidgah Ground at Kambipura as it was headed towards Kerala. A thorough search of the car yielded approximately 317 kg of ganja, which was immediately seized.
What the Accused Allegedly Revealed
During interrogation, the two accused allegedly disclosed that they had travelled from Kerala to Bengaluru on 6 October and hired a self-drive rental car from R.T. Nagar. They then drove to Odisha, where they reportedly purchased the contraband at a low price from an unidentified supplier. The men allegedly returned to Bengaluru on 11 October, spent the night at a hotel in Bommasandra, and were intercepted the following morning while heading towards Kerala. Their stated destination for the drug consignment was Kumaramanagalam in Kerala, where they intended to sell it to buyers at a significant markup.
Investigators Widen the Probe
Police have stated that efforts are underway to identify others involved in procuring and transporting the contraband, as well as individuals who may have assisted in its planned distribution. This points to a potentially wider supply chain stretching across at least three states — Odisha, Karnataka, and Kerala — raising questions about the network's reach. Notably, the accused reportedly hired a commercial self-drive rental vehicle to avoid detection, a tactic investigators say is increasingly common in inter-state drug runs.
Officers Behind the Operation
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police, South-West Division, Soumyalatha S.K., and the supervision of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kengeri Sub-Division, Satyavati K.S. The arrest team was led by Kumbalgodu Police Inspector Kumar. The investigation remains in progress, with further arrests possible as police trace the full supply chain.
Point of View
Complicating vehicle-ownership tracing. Until police roll up the Odisha supplier and the Kerala buyers, the arrests remain the visible tip. The real measure of this operation's success will be whether it disrupts the network or merely reroutes it.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much ganja was seized by Bengaluru police and what is it worth?
Police seized approximately 317 kg of ganja with a procured value of ₹1.78 crore and an estimated street market value of ₹3.17 crore. The contraband was found in a car intercepted near Eidgah Ground at Kambipura in Bengaluru on 12 October.
Who were the two men arrested in the Bengaluru ganja case?
The two accused are residents of Kerala who allegedly travelled to Odisha, purchased the ganja at a low price, and were attempting to transport it to Kumaramanagalam in Kerala for resale. They were intercepted by the Kumbalgodu police while passing through Bengaluru.
What route did the accused allegedly take to smuggle the ganja?
According to police, the accused travelled from Kerala to Bengaluru on 6 October, hired a self-drive rental car in R.T. Nagar, drove to Odisha to procure the drug, and were returning through Bengaluru towards Kerala when intercepted on 12 October.
Under which law have the accused been charged?
A case has been registered against the two accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, which governs offences related to the production, manufacture, possession, sale, and transport of controlled narcotics.
Is the investigation into the Bengaluru ganja seizure still ongoing?
Yes, the investigation is ongoing. Police are working to identify the unidentified Odisha supplier, potential buyers in Kerala, and others who may have facilitated the transportation or planned sale of the contraband.
