In a significant crackdown on interstate narcotics trafficking, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police has dismantled an alleged ganja trafficking network operating across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Delhi-NCR, arresting three accused and seizing 26.35 kilograms of commercial quantity ganja. The operation, carried out by the WR-II unit of the Crime Branch, marks a major success in Delhi Police’s ongoing campaign against organized drug trafficking and highlights the growing emphasis on intelligence-led policing to disrupt interstate narcotics syndicates.
Officials said the investigation began with a specific intelligence input regarding the movement of a drug courier in Delhi. What initially appeared to be a local drug delivery case soon expanded into a multi-state investigation that ultimately led investigators from the streets of Dwarka in Delhi to the remote districts of Gajapati and Kandhamal in Odisha, uncovering an active supply chain allegedly transporting cannabis from eastern India to the National Capital Region.
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Police have arrested Rahul Kumar alias Tutan, Pamulapati Srinivas alias Anna, and Pratinidhi Karad, who is believed to be the primary source supplier of the recovered contraband. Authorities have indicated that further investigation is underway to identify additional members of the syndicate, trace financial transactions, recover more contraband if any, and expose the complete interstate network.
Intelligence-Based Operation Leads to Major Breakthrough
According to Delhi Police, the operation was launched after ASI Jitender Singh of WR-II, Crime Branch, received credible secret information on June 4, 2026, indicating that a resident of Raj Nagar, Palam, was actively supplying ganja across Delhi-NCR and was scheduled to deliver a fresh consignment in the Pochanpur area of Dwarka.
Considering the seriousness of the intelligence, DCP Crime Branch Harsh Indora, IPS, constituted a dedicated raiding team under the supervision of ACP Rajpal Dabas. The team was led by Inspector Akshay Gahlaut and included SI Rahul, SI Manoj Kumar Meena, ASI Jitender Singh, Head Constables Dinesh, Sushil, Naveen, Sandeep, and Mayank.
The officers immediately proceeded to C-Block, MBR Enclave, Pochanpur Village, Sector-23, Dwarka, where surveillance was established and a carefully planned trap was laid.
Dramatic Interception in Dwarka
At approximately 10:40 PM, police identified the suspected vehicle approaching the designated location.
As officers attempted to intercept the vehicle, the driver allegedly accelerated in an attempt to escape. During the pursuit, the suspect’s vehicle reportedly came into contact with the government vehicle positioned to block the escape route.
The accused then abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot while resisting arrest.
Following a brief chase and struggle, police successfully overpowered the suspect without allowing him to escape.
The accused was identified as Rahul Kumar alias Tutan, a resident of Raj Nagar Part-II, Palam, Delhi.
Commercial Quantity of Ganja Recovered
Following all legal procedures prescribed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, officers searched the vehicle.
The search resulted in the recovery of one white sack containing 25 packets of ganja.
A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team was immediately summoned to the location to examine the recovered substance.
Testing confirmed that the recovered material was ganja, while subsequent weighing established the total quantity at 26.35 kilograms, categorizing it as a commercial quantity under the NDPS Act.
Following the recovery, police registered FIR No. 150/2026 dated June 5, 2026, under Sections 8, 20, and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Crime Branch.
The seized narcotics were taken into police custody as evidence, while Rahul Kumar was formally arrested.
Investigation Quickly Expands Beyond Delhi
Investigators stated that Rahul Kumar’s interrogation proved to be a turning point in the case.
According to police, Rahul disclosed that the recovered ganja had been supplied through Pamulapati Srinivas alias Anna, a resident of Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh, who had allegedly been coordinating narcotics transportation into Delhi.
Realizing that the alleged supplier could abscond if immediate action was not taken, investigators simultaneously continued legal proceedings at the recovery site while launching technical surveillance and intelligence verification.
The Crime Branch team quickly tracked Srinivas’s movements.
Within a short span of time, officers successfully arrested him from the Uttam Nagar area of Delhi, preventing the suspected network from reorganizing.
Trail Leads to Odisha
During sustained interrogation, Srinivas allegedly revealed that the recovered narcotics had actually originated from Gajapati district in Odisha.
Police then initiated a wider interstate operation involving technical surveillance, intelligence gathering, and field verification.
Based on the evidence collected, a Crime Branch team travelled to Gajapati district, where investigators successfully identified and apprehended Pratinidhi Karad, who is believed to be the principal source of the recovered ganja.
Officials described the investigation as a successful “street-to-source” operation, meaning investigators not only arrested the courier but also identified and arrested the alleged supplier responsible for introducing the narcotics into the distribution chain.
Interstate Supply Chain Uncovered
According to investigators, the operation exposed an active trafficking network allegedly transporting ganja from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh into Delhi-NCR.
Police believe the recovered consignment was intended for illegal distribution across various parts of the National Capital Region.
Investigators are now examining:
- Transportation routes.
- Storage arrangements.
- Previous consignments.
- Financial transactions.
- Communication channels.
- Distribution networks.
- Potential recipients.
- Additional associates.
Officials indicated that dismantling the complete syndicate remains the primary objective of the ongoing investigation.
Crime Branch Reveals Profile of the Accused
Police have shared preliminary backgrounds of all three accused during the investigation.
Rahul Kumar alias Tutan
Rahul Kumar, aged approximately 33 years, is a resident of Raj Nagar Part-II in Palam, Delhi.
He studied up to Class VI before beginning work as a car mechanic.
According to investigators, he later became involved in the illegal transportation of liquor before allegedly entering narcotics trafficking.
Police stated that while lodged in jail in 2021, he allegedly came into contact with Pamulapati Srinivas, after which he began transporting ganja consignments from Andhra Pradesh into Delhi.
Investigators further revealed that Rahul has previously been involved in multiple criminal cases, including offences under the NDPS Act, Excise Act, Motor Vehicle Act, and Indian Penal Code.
Pamulapati Srinivas alias Anna
Srinivas, aged 56 years, belongs to Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh.
Police stated that financial hardship led him into transportation work after leaving school.
According to investigators, he initially worked in Hyderabad before becoming involved in transporting ganja consignments around 2012.
Officials allege that he transported narcotics from forest regions near Visakhapatnam to destinations in Maharashtra before later shifting to Gurugram after the COVID-19 lockdown.
Police claim he subsequently became an intermediary connecting suppliers based in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha with dealers operating in Delhi-NCR.
He also reportedly has previous criminal cases registered against him.
Pratinidhi Karad
Pratinidhi Karad, aged 53 years, resides in Gajapati district of Odisha.
Police stated that economic hardship and limited educational opportunities led him to work as a labourer before allegedly entering illegal ganja cultivation nearly a decade ago.
Investigators claim he eventually expanded into procuring and supplying ganja through interstate networks because of the financial returns generated by the illegal trade.
Authorities believe he served as one of the primary suppliers in the present case.
Crime Branch Recovery Made During the Operation
Apart from the recovered narcotics, investigators also seized the vehicle allegedly used for transportation.
Police recovered:
- 26.35 kilograms of ganja (commercial quantity).
- One Maruti SX4 car allegedly used to transport the narcotics.
Officials believe forensic examination of the vehicle and other evidence may provide additional leads regarding previous consignments and associated individuals.
Crime Branch Targets Organized Narcotics Trafficking
Law enforcement agencies increasingly view narcotics trafficking as a form of organized crime because supply chains often involve multiple individuals performing different roles.
Such networks commonly include:
- Cultivators.
- Collection agents.
- Transport coordinators.
- Couriers.
- Regional distributors.
- Financial handlers.
- Street-level suppliers.
Police officials noted that intelligence-led investigations remain essential for identifying not only the courier but also the individuals operating behind the scenes.
The successful “street-to-source” investigation demonstrates how coordinated policing can help dismantle larger criminal structures rather than merely intercept individual consignments.
Crime Branch Investigation Continues
Delhi Police have confirmed that the investigation remains active.
Authorities are currently working to:
- Identify all recipients of previous consignments.
- Trace the financial trail connected with the alleged trafficking operation.
- Recover additional contraband, if any.
- Identify additional suppliers and distributors.
- Examine interstate transportation routes.
- Arrest remaining members of the syndicate.
Police have not ruled out further arrests as investigators continue examining evidence collected during the operation.
Crime Branch Delivers Major Blow to Interstate Drug Trafficking
The successful operation by the Crime Branch, Delhi Police, represents a significant achievement in the fight against organized narcotics trafficking. By combining actionable intelligence, sustained surveillance, rapid field operations, and interstate coordination, investigators were able to dismantle an alleged ganja supply chain stretching from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to Delhi-NCR.
The seizure of 26.35 kilograms of commercial quantity ganja, the arrest of three accused, and the identification of the alleged primary source supplier underscore the effectiveness of intelligence-based policing. As the investigation progresses, Delhi Police aim to uncover the complete network, identify every individual involved, trace financial transactions, and ensure that organized narcotics syndicates operating across state boundaries face the full force of the law. The operation also reinforces the agency’s continued commitment to protecting public safety and disrupting the illegal drug trade through proactive enforcement and coordinated investigation.
