Ahmedabad’s Special Operations Group apprehended an alleged drug peddler transporting cannabis in a Mercedes car near Vijay Char Rasta.[1] The accused was identified as 26-year-old Hardik Kalal, a resident of Naranpura.[2] He is originally from Rajasthan and currently lives in Naranpura.[1] Police registered a case under the NDPS Act at the DCB police station.[2] Police said a detailed investigation was launched to trace the consignment’s source and intended recipients.[1]

Officers seized 1.975 kg of hybrid ganja along with the Mercedes and other items collectively valued at Rs 79.7 lakh near the municipal garden opposite Memnagar fire station.[2] Police valued the cannabis alone at over Rs 69 lakh.[2] A pink bag containing two plastic packets of suspected hybrid ganja was recovered from the car’s back seat.[2] The consignment involved nine packets of cannabis in total.[1] Seven packets were taken away by the supplier while two packets remained inside the vehicle.[1] Forensic examination later confirmed the substance was hybrid ganja.[2] Officers broke a small rear window to enter the car because the keys were allegedly with a friend.[2] Police also seized two mobile phones, documents and the car.[2]

Acting on information that a hybrid cannabis consignment had been brought from Rajasthan to Ahmedabad for illegal sale, inspectors Gohil and Bhatt detained Kalal.[1] Police said Kalal and his relative Pradeep Kalal from Rajasthan were allegedly trafficking hybrid ganja brought from abroad.[2] Kalal had procured the cannabis near the airport on the instructions of his relative Pradeep Kalal.[1] The contraband was handed over to him in a trolley bag at the airport location.[1] The Mercedes belonged to Bhupendra Parmar.[1] Police quoted Kalal as saying he had taken the vehicle over an outstanding financial liability while the supply-chain probe continued.[1] Archit Agarwal of Bopal and associate Lalo Soni were also alleged to be supplying hybrid cannabis by Mercedes, reflecting suspected use of luxury vehicles to avoid police attention.[1]