A man has been arrested near the Vatva toll booth on Sardar Patel Ring Road in Ahmedabad with 12 kilograms of hybrid cannabis valued at Rs 3.60 crore. The arrest took place after a tip-off to the Vatva police led them to suspect the individual’s involvement in drug trafficking.
The accused, identified as Yogesh Dashadiya, a resident of Morbi district, was carrying 24 parcels wrapped in plastic, with each containing the illicit drugs.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Dashadiya was part of an international drug-smuggling operation and his involvement in the delivery chain had been orchestrated by a woman named Sayli, whom he met online.
How did the operation run?
Sayli had arranged for Dashadiya to fly to Bangkok, where he was paid Rs 70,000 for bringing a parcel back to India. She had also booked two flight tickets, one for Dashadiya and another for Pritam, a resident of Nashik.
On December 14, both men flew from Ahmedabad to Bangkok, where they stayed at a hotel in Pattaya. After two days, they travelled to Mumbai, where Pritam headed to Kolhapur, while Dashadiya proceeded with two bags filled with the drugs, heading back to Ahmedabad.
The crucial tip-off
The Vatva police had received intelligence about a man arriving on the Sardar Patel Ring Road with a large quantity of drugs. Acting on the information, Police Inspector P B Zala and his team set up surveillance. Upon stopping Dashadiya and searching his bag, they discovered the drugs hidden in the parcels.
Dashadiya further disclosed that upon his arrival in Mumbai, a woman named Nidhi had contacted him, instructing him to get in touch once he reached Gujarat for delivery instructions. However, before the drugs could be delivered, the police apprehended him.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) P G Jadeja revealed that Pritam, the co-accused, had previously smuggled large drug shipments from Bangkok to India.
It is to be noted that despite the huge quantity of drugs, neither the Bangkok nor Mumbai airports detected the drugs during routine screening. The investigation is continuing to determine how the drugs evaded detection and to uncover the full extent of the trafficking operation.
Also Read: RSS Chief Hits Out at Leaders Fueling Temple-Mosque Controversies
