Police in Sabarkantha district, Gujarat, have unearthed illegal ganja cultivation at two separate locations in Poshina taluka, seizing over 475 kg of the narcotic substance valued at more than ₹2.37 crore and arresting four people. The contraband had been deliberately concealed among standing cotton crops, making aerial and ground detection significantly harder.

First Operation: Anjani Village Seizure

The Special Operations Group (SOG) recovered 666 ganja plants weighing 401.730 kg, valued at ₹2,00,86,500, from agricultural land in Anjani village's Jalera Faliya area. One accused, Shrinbhai Gamar, was arrested in connection with the find. A second suspect, Manabhai Gamar, who allegedly possessed the land, remained at large at the time of reporting.

According to police, SOG personnel were conducting patrols along the Poshina border under the ATS Charter framework when two team members received a tip from a human intelligence source. Because an immediate visit was not feasible, the unit deployed technical surveillance to corroborate the lead before moving in. The subsequent ground search confirmed ganja plants growing under the protective canopy of cotton crops, after which action was initiated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Second Operation: Kalikankar Village Arrest

In a separate but related action, Poshina Police Station personnel raided the Ro-Padola Faliya area of Kalikankar village, seizing 322 ganja plants weighing 73.662 kg and valued at ₹36,83,400. Three men — Jayeshbhai Gamar, 30; Arjunbhai Gamar, 31; and Govindbhai Gamar, 33 — were arrested. All three are residents of the Ro-Padola Faliya locality and the ganja was, again, camouflaged within cotton fields on land allegedly in their possession.

The second operation was triggered by intelligence gathered by Surveillance PSI V.B. Meghnathi through a human source during routine patrol. The team verified the tip before conducting the raid.

Concealment Tactic and Enforcement Context

Cultivating ganja under cover of legal cash crops such as cotton is an increasingly documented tactic in tribal and semi-forested belt districts, where agricultural land is less frequently inspected than urban zones. Poshina taluka, which borders forested and hilly terrain, has reportedly seen prior seizures, making it a focal point for the SOG and ATS-linked operations.

Notably, both operations relied on human intelligence networks rather than automated surveillance alone — a reminder of the persistent role of ground-level informants in rural narcotics enforcement.

Legal Action and What Comes Next

Police confirmed that cases have been registered under the NDPS Act in both instances. The absconding accused, Manabhai Gamar, is being actively sought. Further investigation is ongoing to determine whether the two cultivation sites are linked through a single supply or financing network.