Acting on specific intelligence that a particular vehicle would be carrying concealed contraband in violation of the NDPS Act, 1985, officers of the DRI, Ludhiana Zonal Unit mounted a surveillance and intercepted the said car near ICD GRFL, Sahnewal, Ludhiana.

A thorough rummaging of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of 74 packets, each individually wrapped with khakhi-coloured plastic tape, containing cannabis (ganja). These packets were found secreted in specially created cavities in the front and rear portions of the vehicle’s floor. The smugglers had constructed false floors within the vehicle bodywork—a method commonly used to fabricate hidden chambers behind rear seats, in the trunk area, or beneath the original flooring. These concealed compartments were meticulously integrated into the car’s structure, designed to blend seamlessly with the original bodywork, making them extremely difficult to detect with the naked eye.

The recovered 74 packets containing 103 kgs of Ganja, having value of Rs. 31 Lakh approx. in illicit market and the car used for drug trafficking have been seized. Further, 02 persons travelling and carrying the said contraband in the seized vehicle have been arrested on Saturday. Further investigation is in progress.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence is the apex anti-smuggling agency of India, working under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. It excels in detecting and curbing smuggling of contraband, including drug trafficking and illicit international trade in wildlife and environmentally sensitive items, as well as combating commercial frauds related to international trade and evasion of Customs duty.