An elderly man was arrested on charges of cultivating ganja at Thosam village in Gudihathnoor mandal on Friday. Police seized 627 ganja plants worth approximately Rs 62.7 lakh. Two others are absconding.
Briefing presspersons, Superintendent of Police Akhil Mahajan said Marsakola Devrao of Thosam was apprehended during a joint operation by Echoda and CCS police following a tip-off. Devrao, along
with his two sons Jagan and Nagesh, was found growing the prohibited crop. His sons are still absconding.
Akhil warned of stern action against those cultivating ganja, adding that such offenders would not be considered for welfare scheme benefits. He said 120 cases were registered against 240 persons for cultivating ganja across the district this year, and around 600 plants were seized from them.