Excise department officials seized ganja valued at around ₹3 lakh during a raid conducted on Wednesday near Nawalakoppa village along National Highway 51 in Kustagi taluk. Acting on specific intelligence, officials searched an area beside a property near a tin-shed shop, recovering 5 kg of processed dry ganja and a two-wheeler.
The suspect, Ranjit Singh (40) of Kadekoppa village in Koppal taluk, fled the spot, and a search operation is underway to trace him. The raid was carried out under the supervision of the Belagavi excise commissioner, the Hosapete division joint commissioner, and the Koppal district deputy commissioner of excise, led by deputy superintendent Anjaneya.
Excise inspectors Ravikumar Patil and Annappa Kademani, sub-inspector Neelamma Galagali, staff members Husein Basha, Hanumantappa Kuri, Ramanjaneya, driver Gundappa Nayak, and Basavaraj Kakaragal were involved in the operation and ongoing investigation.