Women tourists turning into drug couriers: GRP arrests 2 persons with ganja in Koraput

In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, the Government Railway Police (GRP) has arrested a young man and a woman on the charges of smuggling ganja (dry cannabis) under the guise of being tourists.

The duo was caught while transporting a significant quantity of the illegal substance from Koraput. This incident has once again highlighted the growing trend of traffickers adopting new methods to evade law enforcement, especially roping in women to avoid suspicion.

The police and excise department have been on high alert as smugglers increasingly use tourists as couriers to transport contraband. In the past ten months, at least 15 individuals have been apprehended in Koraput for their involvement in the illegal ganja trade. Investigations reveal that drug mafias are now using women as their front-runners, disguising them as tourists to avoid suspicion.

“Today, a joint raid was on by GRP and RPF, we seized 20 kg ganja from two women, including a minor from Samaleswari Train. Both hail from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Later, another search was conducted inside Visakhapatnam passenger and seized 10 kg ganja. Two separate cases have been registered,” said Officer-in-charge of Koraput GRP, Mamata Mohanta.

In 2024-25, six women have been arrested on the charges of ganja smuggling. Women are being used to smuggle ganja from this area as suspicion is less on them, the officer added.

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How Ganja Smuggling Is Taking Place?

According to sources, the traffickers send young women to Koraput on sightseeing trips, ensuring they blend in with genuine travellers. However, on their return journeys, they carry large quantities of ganja to different states. This strategy has posed a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies.

In the latest operation, police seized 35 kg of ganja from two individuals and registered two separate cases against them. Such a method of smuggling was also observed in a previous case where a young woman and her male companion, who had recently visited Uttar Pradesh as tourists, were caught returning with ganja.

Authorities have intensified surveillance at key transit points to curb this rising trend. The police and excise departments are working together to dismantle these drug networks and prevent the misuse of tourism as a cover for illegal activities.