In a significant breakthrough, Srikakulam district police arrested Bidya Sahu alias Sona Pahu during an interstate drug trafficking crackdown involving smuggling routes from Odisha to Mumbai. The arrest was made by Ichapuram Town Police near the second platform of Ichapuram Railway Station on Tuesday.
Sahu was found in possession of 34.320 kilograms of ganja, packed into 18 separate packets, which he had transported in two large bags. Police also seized a motorcycle and a mobile phone during the operation.
Authorities revealed that the smuggling network was spearheaded by Santhun Das, who reportedly brought in family members and close friends, including Sahu, to scale the illegal operation. Sahu, facing financial hardship, joined the racket after discussions with Das, a resident of the same village in Odisha.
According to investigators, Sahu boarded a train to Ichapuram carrying the ganja. Upon arrival, he retrieved his motorcycle and waited at a concealed location behind the station, reportedly expecting Santhun Das and an associate named Koyadas, when police intercepted him.
The arrest is part of an ongoing effort by local police to crack down on narcotics smuggling routes passing through Andhra Pradesh. Further investigations are underway to apprehend Das, Koyadas, and other members of the syndicate.
