Sri Vijaya Puram, July 2: Acting on specific intelligence regarding the alleged possession and sale of illicit ganja, Chatham Police conducted a late-evening raid near the parking area at Bhagat Singh Colony, Haddo, and seized approximately 125 grams of suspected contraband before arresting one person under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
According to the police, credible information was received at around 7 p.m. on July 1 indicating that a person was allegedly carrying illicit ganja and attempting to sell it near the parking area of Bhagat Singh Colony. The information was immediately conveyed to the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (South Andaman), following which instructions were issued to constitute a raiding team and proceed to the location.
Police stated that two independent witnesses were associated with the operation before the team departed from Police Station Chatham with the required investigation kit, official documents and an electronic weighing machine. The movement of the raiding party was recorded in the station’s General Diary before officers proceeded to the spot.
Upon reaching the location at around 9 p.m., the raiding team reportedly identified the suspect based on information provided by the source. Before conducting the search, police informed the individual of his legal rights under Section 50 of the NDPS Act, including the option to be searched before a Gazetted Officer. According to the police, the accused consented to the search in the presence of the Gazetted Officer supervising the operation.
During the search, officers recovered a green polythene bag containing five small polythene packets filled with brownish-green flowering and leafy material. Police stated that, based on its appearance and smell, the substance was suspected to be ganja. The material was shown to the independent witnesses and members of the raiding team, who concurred with the preliminary identification.
The recovered contraband, weighing approximately 125 grams, including the packaging material, was weighed at the spot in the presence of the Gazetted Officer and independent witnesses. Police completed the seizure by following the prescribed legal formalities, sealed the recovered material with the designated official seal, prepared the seizure documents and obtained the required signatures from the witnesses and the accused.
According to the police record, the accused allegedly disclosed during preliminary questioning that the suspected ganja had been procured from another individual residing in Haddo. Police have recorded the statement as part of the investigation.
The accused was arrested at the scene under Section 20(b)(ii)(A) of the NDPS Act, 1985. Following the completion of seizure and arrest procedures, the police team returned to Police Station Chatham, where the seized property was deposited in the malkhana in accordance with established procedure.
Further investigation into the case is underway.
