The Hindu : Karnataka News : Ganja cultivation detected

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 20, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Ganja cultivation detected

By Our Staff Correspondent

MADIKERI, DEC. 19. The value of the ganja detected by the District Crime Investigation Bureau (DCIB) at Sollekolli, bordering Kodagu-Kerala at Makutta near Virajpet in Kodagu, in an area of over six acres, is estimated at Rs. 6 crores. The area falls under the Brahmagiri wildlife area.

The police, on a tip off, arrested four persons on Saturday, who had pitched a tent at the spot, in a pre-dawn operation. The arrested have been identified as Mathew alias Joi, Justin, Shibi and Shaji, of Vallithodu, Palathakadavu and Idukki areas of Kerala. A gun and some cartridges were recovered from the accused. They were being produced before the Magistrate, Lingappa, Inspector, DCIB, who led the raid, told The Hindu today.

Poaching

Certain used cartridges pointed towards poaching of animals, police officials said. Skins of langur and weasel were found on the spot. The land where ganja was grown is located on a flat area atop the dense jungle, near the Makutta gate.

The ganja crop would have been ready for harvest in a month. Remains of the crop in over 10 acres nearby was identified by the police team. Temporary roads had been made by the accused to transport ganja to Kerala. Four gunny bags of manure used for cultivating the crop was also found buried at the spot. According to police, ganja was being grown in that area for the last three years.

By Our Staff Correspondent reports from Bellary:

Police have detected ganja cultivation in a field in Sankarabanda village in Bellary taluk. According to the Additional Superintendent of Police, Gaikwad, police, on a tip-off, raided and plucked the plants grown in about half acre plot. The ganja plants, which were ready for harvest, weighed around 196 kg and were estimated at Rs. 4 lakhs.

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