Gujarat SOG seizes ₹21.09 lakh cannabis from Odisha, one arrested in Vapi
Synopsis
Gujarat's Valsad SOG intercepted a cross-state cannabis consignment worth ₹21.09 lakh allegedly moving from Odisha to Silvassa — and the arrested man already carries a prior NDPS case from 2025. The seizure points to an active inter-state trafficking corridor through Gujarat's southern belt that police are now working to dismantle.
Key Takeaways
Valsad SOG seized 42.180 kg of cannabis worth ₹21.09 lakh near Vapi, Gujarat on 3 August .
The contraband was allegedly being transported from Odisha to Silvassa .
Accused Sanjay alias Sanjay Marwadi, 26 , a Rajasthan native residing in Silvassa, was arrested without a valid permit for the substance.
A mobile phone ( ₹10,000 ), cash ( ₹3,300 ), and five transport bags were also recovered; total seizure value is ₹21.22 lakh .
The accused has a prior NDPS Act case at Bhilad Police Station from 2025 .
Police are investigating the Odisha supply source, Silvassa recipients, and possible wider trafficking network.
The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Valsad Police in Gujarat seized 42.180 kg of cannabis worth ₹21.09 lakh near Vapi on 3 August, arresting one man allegedly transporting the contraband from Odisha to Silvassa. A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and further investigation is underway.
How the Operation Unfolded
The seizure followed specific intelligence gathered by Assistant Head Constable Mohammadsafi Sulemanbhai and Assistant Police Constables Varunkumar Harishchandra and Mahendradan Julubha. Acting on that input, an SOG team set up surveillance near the old railway crossing road opposite Karishma Saree Wholesale shop, close to Geetanagar Police Chowky in Vapi.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Police Inspector D.D. Parmar and Police Sub-Inspector S.R. Suslade, and carried out in accordance with directives from Valsad Superintendent of Police Yuvrajsinh Jadeja, who had ordered officers to intensify action against narcotic trafficking in the district.
Who Was Arrested
Officers intercepted and arrested Sanjay alias Sanjay Marwadi, 26, who is currently residing at Flat No. 15, Pratibha Complex, Amli, Silvassa. He is originally from Bali village in Rajasthan's Pali district. According to police, he was found carrying the cannabis without any valid pass or permit.
Notably, police records show a prior NDPS case registered against the accused at Bhilad Police Station in 2025 under Sections 8(c), 15(b) and 29 of the Act — indicating a pattern of alleged involvement in narcotics.
What Was Seized
Beyond the 42.180 kg of cannabis valued at ₹21.09 lakh, officers also recovered a mobile phone worth ₹10,000, cash of ₹3,300, and five bags allegedly used to transport the substance. The total estimated value of all seized property stands at approximately ₹21.22 lakh.
A case has been registered at Vapi Town Police Station under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(C) and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985.
Investigation Status and Next Steps
Police said the probe is focused on tracing the source of the cannabis in Odisha, identifying its intended recipients in Silvassa, and establishing whether a wider trafficking network was involved. This comes amid a broader district-level crackdown on narcotics storage, sale, and inter-state movement, signalling sustained enforcement pressure on drug supply routes running through Gujarat's southern corridor.
Point of View
Vapi, and the Silvassa union territory border — has repeatedly emerged as a transit zone for inter-state narcotics movement. The accused's prior 2025 NDPS case raises questions about how he remained operational. The real investigative value here lies not in the arrest itself but in whether police can trace the Odisha supply chain — because without dismantling the source, enforcement actions remain reactive rather than structural.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was seized by Gujarat's Valsad SOG near Vapi?
The SOG seized 42.180 kg of cannabis valued at ₹21.09 lakh, along with a mobile phone, ₹3,300 in cash, and five transport bags. The total estimated value of all seized property is approximately ₹21.22 lakh.
Who was arrested in the Vapi drug seizure case?
Sanjay alias Sanjay Marwadi, 26, was arrested. He is originally from Bali village in Rajasthan's Pali district and was residing in Silvassa at the time of the arrest.
Which law has been invoked in the case?
A case has been registered at Vapi Town Police Station under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(C) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Does the accused have a prior criminal record?
Yes. Police records show a previous NDPS case registered against the accused at Bhilad Police Station in 2025 under Sections 8(c), 15(b) and 29 of the NDPS Act.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Investigation is ongoing. Police are working to identify the source of the cannabis in Odisha, trace its intended recipients in Silvassa, and determine whether other individuals were part of the alleged trafficking network.
