Chhattisgarh saw 600% jump in cannabis seizures this year. Crackdown on key transit hub could be why

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Crackdown on key transit hub could be why Chhattisgarh saw 600% jump in cannabis seizures this year. Crackdown on key transit hub could be why In a massive crackdown in Mahasamund district, authorities have seized nearly 5,630 kg cannabis, collectively worth Rs 28.09 crore Written by: Jayprakash S Naidu2 min readRaipurApr 21, 2026 05:55 AM IST According to a police officer from Mahasamund, the seized cannabis was being sold in packets of around 10 grams each. Make us preferred source on Google Whatsapp twitter Facebook Reddit PRINT Around 5,630 kg of cannabis, collectively worth Rs 28.09 crore, has been seized in Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund district in less than four months this year, amounting to a nearly 600% increase compared to the same period last year, when 816 kg of the substance was seized. According to officials, Mahasamund district has been identified as a transit point to smuggle cannabis from Odisha to six other states, including Chhattisgarh. A major crackdown was undertaken this year with the aim of stopping the smuggling of drugs through this district, police said. Inspector General of Police for Raipur range, Amresh Mishra, said, “From January to April 18 this year, we have registered 72 cases in Mahasamund, in which 187 accused have been arrested. In this, 135 accused are from other states while 52 are from Chhattisgarh. The total cannabis seized is 5,692.602 kg worth Rs 28.09 crore.” According to a police officer from Mahasamund, the seized cannabis was being sold in packets of around 10 grams each. “The drugs would have impacted the lives of six lakh people,” the official said. For a long time, Mahasamund has been one of the four transit points for the drug mafia in the smuggling of ganja to different parts of India from 11 districts in Odisha. The smugglers would enter Mahasamund from Odisha and travel through Raipur, Durg and Rajnandgaon to smuggle drugs to different districts within Chhattisgarh, and onwards to Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, officials said. Apart from the Mahasamund route, smugglers also used the Sarangarh-Bilaigarh, Gariaband and Dhamtari districts to move the drugs to the above-mentioned states as well as Delhi and Gujarat. Police officers said smugglers would try to transport drugs hidden in secret cavities inside seats in cars or trucks, and even in vehicles’ bonnet, doors, and undercarriage. In some cases, officials said, smugglers would travel with family or women in their efforts to evade suspicion. There is also an instance where an ambulance was used. They would also hide drugs under other cargo, such as fruits or coal, officials said. Mahasamund Superintendent of Police Prabhat Kumar said, “Our crackdown on cannabis will continue till we completely stop the smuggling of cannabis from the district.” Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India. Expertise and Experience Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of: Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages. Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states. Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering: Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements. Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law. Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in: Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel. Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India. Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram