Intensifying their crackdown against ganja peddlers, the Cuddalore district police have registered 83 cases in the last seven months, and arrested 208 persons. A total of 151.8 kgs of ganja was seized.

According to a press release, acting under instructions from Superintendent of Police S. Jeyakumar, an intensive crackdown was launched against ganja and other contrabands in the district. Special teams conducted raids at various places since January and as many as 208 persons who were involved in ganja smuggling and selling were arrested by the police.

Of them 23 persons who were arrested several times in the past and continued to indulge in the smuggling and sale of ganja and gutkha products were detained under the Goondas Act, a senior police officer said.

The police also seized 3,607 kgs of gutkha and banned chewable tobacco products in the crackdown against drug peddlers and those stocking tobacco products illegally.

So far, the police have booked 203 cases and arrested 253 persons who were involved in smuggling and sale of gutkha products, the release said.