Kanpur, June 9 : In a major anti-narcotics operation, police in Uttar Pradeshâ??s Kanpur have seized approximately six quintals of ganja and arrested a gang of drug smugglers, officials said on Tuesday.

The recovered contraband is estimated to be worth around Rs 10 crore in the illegal market.

The seizure was made in a coordinated operation carried out by the Crime Branch and the West Zone Police, which intercepted a truck allegedly being used to transport the narcotic substance.

According to officials, the consignment was intended for distribution in Kanpur and several neighbouring districts.

Police described the operation as a significant success in their ongoing campaign against narcotics trafficking.

During the raid, officers recovered the entire consignment and took into custody members of the alleged smuggling network involved in transporting and distributing the contraband.

Investigators are now examining the supply chain and attempting to determine the origin of the seized ganja, as well as identifying other individuals who may be linked to the trafficking network.

Officials believe the recovered consignment was part of a larger distribution operation spanning multiple districts.

The latest seizure comes only days after another major breakthrough by law enforcement agencies in Uttar Pradesh.

In a joint operation conducted by the Narcotics Control Bureau and the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force in Deoria district, authorities dismantled a major ganja trafficking network.

During that operation, officials seized 406.8 kilograms of ganja and arrested four individuals allegedly involved in drug trafficking activities.

The Kanpur seizure also follows another major anti-drug action carried out earlier this week under the Uttar Pradesh Policeâ??s ongoing anti-narcotics campaign known as â??Operation Dahanâ??.

As part of that initiative, approximately 13 quintals, or 1,300 kilograms, of ganja with an estimated value of Rs 6.50 crore were destroyed at a brick kiln by a joint team of Handia Police and the Narcotics Task Force.

The destruction was carried out in the presence of a high-level committee after completion of the required legal formalities.

Officials said â??Operation Dahanâ?? is being conducted across the state under the direction of the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, to target narcotics networks and ensure the destruction of seized illegal substances after due legal process.

/IANS