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The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Central Railway has busted a narcotics smuggling network and seized 43 kilograms of drugs worth Rs 12.82 lakh in two separate operations conducted in Nagpur and Kalaburagi earlier this month.

In the first operation on February 6, the RPF team at Nagpur station intercepted a suspect during surveillance duty. A team comprising an inspector, an assistant sub-inspector and two RPF personnel stopped a man carrying two bags. During a search conducted in the presence of witnesses, officials recovered nine packets of ganja weighing 24.80 kg, estimated to be worth Rs 3.72 lakh.

The accused, identified as Shahid Khan, a resident of Bhind in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly confessed during questioning that he was transporting the narcotics to Gwalior. He was taken into custody and handed over to the Government Railway Police (GRP), Nagpur, along with the seized contraband for further investigation.

RPF, GRP seize 18.20 kg ganja worth Rs 9.10 lakh on Konark Express

In another operation on February 3, the RPF team at Kalaburagi, in coordination with the GRP, seized 18.20 kg of ganja worth Rs 9.10 lakh during a joint inspection of Train No. 11020 Konark Express.

Officials discovered an unclaimed bag under berth number 41 in coach B-1 while checking the train at Kalaburagi station.

The bag contained 18 bundles of ganja, which were seized and sealed following due procedure in the presence of witnesses. A case against an unknown person has been registered at Wadi police station.

Central Railway officials said the operations highlight the strong coordination between the RPF and GRP in curbing drug trafficking through the railway network.

Passengers have been urged to stay alert and report any suspicious activity to railway authorities or call the railway helpline 139 for assistance.