STF chases drug traffickers for 152-km at MP–Chhattisgarh Border:Seizes 599 kg ganja worth over ₹1cr ahead of New Year; 2 arrested

In a major crackdown on drug trafficking ahead of New Year celebrations, the Special Task Force (STF) seized a large consignment of marijuana being transported from Odisha to Madhya Pradesh via Chhattisgarh route.
The operation led to the recovery of 599 kilograms of ganja, worth approximately Rs 1.8 crore and the arrest of two traffickers. Tip-off triggers operation On Wednesday, around 11 am, STF SP Rajesh Singh Bhadoria received a tip-off that a truck carrying marijuana was en route from Odisha to Madhya Pradesh through Chhattisgarh. The information was immediately shared with STF DG Pankaj Srivastava, who ordered the formation of two teams and intensified surveillance along the MP–Chhattisgarh border. 152-kilometre high-stakes chase Acting on a tip-off, a Jabalpur STF team led by DSP Santosh Tiwari was deployed near the border. The team lay in wait in forested areas around Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. As the suspected truck reached Bilaspur, STF personnel began tracking it and pursued the vehicle for nearly 152 km. Empty truck ruse to mislead police Unlike typical cargo trucks, the vehicle appeared empty from the rear—an intentional tactic to mislead law enforcement. Based on the informer’s input, the truck bearing registration JH 02 BL 7103 was under watch. The deceptive appearance caused brief confusion, allowing the driver to divert from the main road onto village routes. Truck stopped using JCB in forest area Despite the diversion, a second STF team maintained pursuit. After intermittent halts in forest areas, the truck crossed into Madhya Pradesh. In the dense forest stretch of the Jaithari police station area in Anuppur district, the STF blocked the road using a JCB machine and intercepted the vehicle. ‘Truck is empty, we got no freight,’ claim accused Two men were found in the truck and identified as Ankit Vishwakarma, resident of Sidhi, and Dhananjay Singh Patel, a resident of Satna.
Both claimed they were returning empty-handed from Jharkhand due to not getting freight. However, their nervous responses about the truck owner raised suspicion.
A thorough search revealed a hidden chamber at the rear of the truck, from which a large quantity of marijuana was recovered. Specially modified truck for smuggling During interrogation, the accused admitted the truck had been specially modified for drug trafficking. A second-hand truck was purchased and redesigned by a body maker. A secret cabin made of iron sheets, about two metres long, was constructed behind the driver’s cabin, while the rest of the truck was left open to make it appear empty. New Year supply plan across regions According to the STF SP, the consignment was to be dumped in Maihar and then distributed across districts in Mahakaushal, Bundelkhand, and Vindhya regions. The supply was planned specifically to meet New Year demand. Inspired by film ‘Pushpa’ The accused revealed that they drew inspiration from the movie ‘Pushpa’, adopting similar techniques to evade police detection. Support vehicle escapes STF also discovered that a white car (MP 65 C 4716) was acting as a support vehicle behind the truck. The occupants fled the scene and are currently being traced. Investigation ongoing The STF is now searching for other members of the trafficking network and the truck owner. Further investigation is underway.