Massive 479 kg Ganja Seized Near Baramati Ahead of Holi: Police Bust Major Drug Cache

Pune Rural Police seize around 479 kg of ganja hidden in drums near Baramati ahead of Holi, valued at about ₹2.39 crore; investigation underway.

Pune |03 March 2026: In a major anti-narcotics operation just ahead of Holi 2026, law enforcement officials recovered approximately 478.95 kg of ganja hidden in two large drums on a farm near Baramati, Maharashtra. The contraband, packed in 465 individual packets, was discovered following a tip-off regarding a large stash of narcotics stored in a remote agricultural location roughly 105 km from Pune.

The haul, estimated to be worth around ₹2.39 crore in the illegal market, was concealed inside two locked plastic drums. Upon inspection, a strong odour led authorities to uncover bundles of marijuana, apparently stored for future distribution, likely timed to coincide with the festival when demand tends to spike.

Officials believe the owners may have deliberately left the consignment unattended due to increased patrolling and surveillance in the area. The heightened law enforcement activity appears to have forced those involved in the smuggling operation to abandon the stash before it could be collected.

A broader investigation has been launched to identify the individuals and networks responsible. Authorities are examining nearby CCTV footage, tracing transport routes, and verifying ownership details to track how the contraband reached the farmland. The operation is also part of ongoing efforts to disrupt drug supply chains in the region ahead of high-demand periods.

The timing of the seizure underscores the risk posed by smugglers attempting to exploit festival occasions for distribution. The recovery of such a large quantity of ganja highlights continued vigilance by authorities to curb illegal drug trafficking and prevent illicit substances from entering public circulation.

In conclusion, the near 480 kg ganja seizure near Baramati marks a significant success for law enforcement, delivering a major setback to smuggling operations. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend those responsible and dismantle networks involved in the movement of narcotics ahead of public celebrations.

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