Huge cache of cannabis seized in eastern Nepal

By Sachin Pokhrel,Itahari, Dec. 12: With a smuggling network actively producing illegal cannabis in the hilly districts of Dhankuta, Bhojpur and Udayapur in Koshi Province and trafficking it through the southern border areas of Sunsari near India, the Armed Police Force (APF) has increased its vigilance in the border areas. 

As a result, a significant quantity of prohibited cannabis has been seized from various locations, including border areas of Sunsari.

The APF has demonstrated notable progress in the anti-narcotics campaign within Sunsari district. 

More than 1,500 kg of cannabis has been confiscated in about five months of the current fiscal year. In the previous fiscal year 2023/24, the APF seized 1,103 kilograms of cannabis while in the current fiscal year, 1,502 kilograms have been seized from (mid-July) to date, according to the Sunsari-based No. 4 Battalion of the Armed Police Force.

To thwart plans to transport cannabis to India through open borders, the APF has intensified regular patrols, checkpoints, and operations based on confidential information, said Superintendent Somenanda Bajracharya, the chief of No. 4 Battalion of the APF. 

The confiscated cannabis has been handed over to the Nepal Police for further legal action.

On Monday night, AFP confiscated approximately 64 kilograms of cannabis from the border area of Soniahi of Bhokraha–Narsingh Rural Municipality-8. The cannabis, being transported from Nepal to India, was confiscated by the Border Outpost (BOP) of the Sunsari-based APF Battalion No. 4, SP Bajracharya said. 

Earlier, the same battalion’s BOP in Sahebgunj had seized an auto-rickshaw carrying about 35 kilograms of cannabis from the Chimdi Bazaar area in Barju Rural Municipality-6.

The recent increase in APF patrols, operations based on confidential intelligence, and border monitoring have led to significant seizures of cannabis and notable success in combating smuggling activities.