An enforcement operation in Berhampur has uncovered an unusual method of narcotics smuggling, with ganja being transported inside school bags and plastic cricket bats. The Government Railway Police (GRP), in coordination with the Khurda RPF Crime Team, arrested two individuals on Monday after seizing the concealed contraband. Both accused were later produced in court.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Alie Hussein and Roni Sheikh, residents of Murshidabad, West Bengal, and currently working as labourers in Kerala. Police said the duo was intercepted after they were seen carrying multiple school bags and plastic bats suspiciously. Upon inspection, officers found that the cushioning of the bags had been cut open, stuffed with ganja, and stitched back. The hollow interiors of the plastic bats were also filled with the narcotic substance.

According to investigators, the consignment was being smuggled from Berhampur to Kerala. A Kerala-based trader had allegedly procured the ganja from Berhampur and handed it over to the two accused for transportation. Police added that a trader in Berhampur had packed the ganja inside the bags and bats for onward sale in Kerala.

Seizure Includes 23 Bags, 10 Bats

In total, authorities seized around 17.5 kilograms of ganja, along with 23 new school bags and 10 plastic cricket bats. The value of the seized contraband is estimated at Rs 1,75,000.

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Police sources said the arrested individuals claimed it was their first time engaging in such activities. However, investigators suspect they may have been involved in similar smuggling operations in the past.