Massive Cannabis Haul Nabbed in Nagpur: 522 kg Worth Rs 2.61 Crore Confiscated

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) pulled off a big win early this week, recovering a staggering 522.3 kilograms of cannabis from a nondescript warehouse on the outskirts of Nagpur. The haul, officials say, is worth roughly Rs 2.61 crore – a figure that underscores just how lucrative the illegal drug trade has become in central India.

According to the DRI’s regional chief, the seizure was the result of months of surveillance and tip‑offs from local informants. “We had been tracking the movement of this consignment for quite some time,” he explained, adding that the drugs were allegedly being routed from Maharashtra’s coastal belts towards the interior states.

When the DRI team finally raided the site, they found the cannabis neatly packed in plastic crates, each labelled with innocuous codes to throw off suspicion. The quantity was enough to supply dozens of street‑level dealers for months, which is why the operation felt like a ‘crack‑down’ on a major supply chain.

Two men, identified only as local residents, were taken into custody at the scene. They are currently being questioned about the origins of the drugs, the network of couriers involved, and potential buyers. The DRI has not ruled out the possibility of further arrests, saying that the investigation is still very much ongoing.

Law enforcement officials stressed that this seizure sends a clear message to smugglers: the authorities are tightening the noose around illicit drug routes. “We are committed to curbing the flow of narcotics into the state,” the DRI chief said, reaffirming that similar operations are planned in the coming months.

Legal experts note that, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, possession of such a large quantity can attract a minimum imprisonment of ten years, along with hefty fines. The two accused will face the full force of the law, pending trial.

While the case is still unfolding, the successful bust highlights the growing challenges that law‑enforcement agencies face in tackling drug trafficking in India’s heartland. Citizens are urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest authorities.