Trivandrum, 6th Nov: A routine railway inspection in Kerala uncovered an unusual smuggling attempt ahead of Diwali. Railway Protection Force personnel seized 37.7 kg of ganja, valued at approximately ₹19 lakh, from four sacks containing jaggery aboard the Dibrugarh-Kanyakumari Vivek Express at Aluva railway station on Thursday afternoon.
The discovery has prompted intensified railway inspections during the festive season. However, the people responsible for transporting the contraband remain unidentified.
38 Kg Ganja Seized In Kerala Train: How The Operation Unfolded
The seizure took place after Train No. 22504, the Dibrugarh-Kanyakumari Vivek Express, arrived at Aluva railway station.
During an inspection of the general compartment, RPF personnel noticed four unattended sacks that apparently contained jaggery. Nothing immediately suggested that the packages were carrying illegal substances.
But a closer examination changed everything.
Officials discovered that the sacks contained ganja concealed beneath layers of jaggery. The unusual packaging had apparently been used to disguise the contraband as an ordinary food commodity.
The recovered quantity stood at 37.7 kg, with an estimated market value of approximately ₹19 lakh.
No Arrests Yet As Investigation Continues
Despite the substantial recovery, authorities have not made any arrests so far.
Investigators are working to establish who placed the four sacks inside the train and identify the people responsible for transporting the contraband.
The absence of an immediate arrest leaves several questions for the investigation, particularly regarding the ownership of the unattended packages and the intended destination of the consignment.
The seized ganja has been handed over to the Aluva Excise Department for further investigation.
RPF Team Conducts Operation Under Senior Officials
The seizure was conducted by a team from the Railway Protection Force’s Crime Intelligence Branch.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Thiruvananthapuram Inspector Jipin AJ, following directions from Senior Divisional Security Commissioner Mohammed Haneef.
The coordinated inspection resulted in the recovery of the entire consignment before it could move further through the railway network.
The involvement of the Crime Intelligence Branch also highlights the importance of intelligence-led monitoring alongside routine railway security checks.
Smugglers Have Used Everyday Objects To Hide Ganja
The jaggery concealment method is not the only unusual technique encountered by railway security personnel.
According to RPF officials, smugglers have previously attempted to transport ganja using everyday objects and household products.
These concealment methods have included:
- Cricket bats.
- Footwear.
- Inverter boxes.
- Paint containers.
- Other ordinary-looking packages.
The latest recovery involving jaggery sacks adds another example to the list.
For railway security teams, the challenge is straightforward but significant. Suspicious consignments do not always look suspicious. Ordinary luggage and everyday products can also conceal illegal substances.
Diwali Security Push Brings Tighter Railway Inspections
The seizure comes ahead of Diwali, when railway authorities are stepping up security arrangements across trains and stations.
RPF officials have announced intensified inspections aboard trains and at railway stations during the festive season.
With passenger movement increasing around major festivals, monitoring unattended luggage and suspicious packages becomes particularly important.
The Aluva recovery demonstrates why such inspections matter. Four unattended sacks in a general compartment eventually led to the discovery of a consignment valued at nearly ₹19 lakh.
Kerala’s latest ganja seizure also underlines the importance of coordination between railway security personnel and state enforcement agencies.
What Happens Next?
The investigation now rests with the authorities tasked with identifying the people behind the consignment.
The seized material has been transferred to the Aluva Excise Department. Officials will continue examining the circumstances surrounding its transportation and attempting to establish responsibility.
For now, the recovery is significant, but the investigation remains incomplete.
Recovering 37.7 kg of ganja is one part of the operation. Identifying the people who arranged its transportation is the next crucial step.
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