Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (GA)

Beltangady, Feb 20: In a major breakthrough, the Beltangady police in a joint operation with Anti-Naxal Force said to have raided hemp cultivation at Gandibagilu near Neriya here on Tuesday February 20 morning.

The police raided the place between the dense forest after receiving sure tip-off from their informers.  They raided the place after walking almost for 7-8 kilometres in thick woods on Tuesday morning.  But by then the accused had already fled the place.

Not long ago that this area had become famous after the police had seized hemp worth more than Rs 50 crore in the Ambate Male hillock region.  Even the nearby J K Malnad Estate had hit news headlines with illegal mining and other activities.

In the present case, hemp is being cultivated in a huge area which is between the woods.  The sources said that it was almost on the verge of harvesting.  The police have seized water pipe, drums, groceries and other things from the spot.  The hemp cultivation has been destroyed by setting it on fire.  However, more details are yet to be gathered.