4,433 kg of poppy straw worth Rs 1 cr hidden behind biscuit boxes seized from truck in Gujarat
Neemuch (PTI): In a major haul, the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) Madhya Pradesh unit has seized 4,433.45 kg of poppy straw packed in 206 plastic bags and hidden behind boxes of a popular biscuit brand in a container truck at Mehsana toll plaza in Gujarat, an official said on Tuesday.
The market value of the stock is estimated to be about Rs one crore, as per sources.
Two persons have been apprehended in connection with the narcotic drugs seizure, the official said.
Following specific intelligence input that a container truck with registration number of Rajasthan would be carrying a huge quantity of poppy straw from Jharkhand to Rajasthan via Gujarat, a team of CBN officers from Mandsaur and Neemuch in Madhya Pradesh was formed and sent on May 28 to track the carrier, deputy narcotics commissioner Dr Sanjay Kumar Meena told PTI.
Strict surveillance was maintained on the suspected route was and after successful identification of the vehicle by CBN officers, the truck was intercepted at the Mehsana toll plaza in Gujarat, the official said.
"In continuance of the anti-drug operations, on the basis of specific intelligence, officers of the CBN's MP unit intercepted a container truck at Mehsana toll plaza, Gujarat on May 28-29 and recovered 206 plastic bags of poppy straw weighing 4433.45 kg," he said.
The truck was carrying boxes of 'Parle-G Biscuit' as cover cargo, the official said.
On sustained questioning, the two truck occupants revealed the poppy straw was loaded in the vehicle behind the cover cargo, he said.
As it was not possible to search the vehicle on the highway due to safety, security issues and bad weather conditions, it was decided to bring it to the CBN office here, the official said.
"After reaching the CBN office, the vehicle was thoroughly searched and a total of 206 plastic bags of poppy straw weighing 4433.45 kg were recovered from behind 218 boxes of Parle-G biscuits," an official release said.
The poppy straw, cover cargo and the truck were seized and the two persons were apprehended under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the release said.
Further investigation is on, it added.
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Rajasthan CM Sharma invites Karnataka to partner in agritech transformation
Bengaluru (PTI): Asserting that Rajasthan is evolving and embracing progressive change, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Sunday invited Karnataka and industry stakeholders present in Bengaluru to partner with the state in shaping a “new agricultural revolution.”
The CM was speaking at an investor meet organised in Bengaluru under the ‘Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet (GRAM)–2026’, aimed at positioning Rajasthan as a leading hub for agricultural innovation, agritech investment, and global partnerships.
“Rajasthan is moving toward building a strong agritech-driven economy by integrating its traditional agricultural strengths with modern technology. The state government is creating an investor-friendly environment,” Sharma said.
“Out of the Rs 35 lakh crore MoUs signed during the 2024 Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit, Rs 9 lakh crore worth of investments have already been grounded, and we welcome all stakeholders to be part of this transformative journey,” he added.
Emphasising the synergy between the two states, he said, “Rajasthan is growing, evolving and embracing progressive change, and together with Karnataka, we can further strengthen our farmers by equipping them with the latest technologies and building a future of shared prosperity.”
Highlighting the shared vision between the two states, he added, “Bengaluru and Rajasthan share a long-standing, cordial relationship built on innovation and progress.”
“As Rajasthan advances steadily toward becoming a Viksit Rajasthan, we invite Bengaluru and Karnataka to partner with us in shaping a new agricultural revolution,” he said.
The event was hosted by the Agriculture Department, Government of Rajasthan, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Rajasthan Foundation.
The investor meet witnessed participation from key stakeholders across agriculture, agritech, industry, and investment sectors.
The CM said that through GRAM 2026, the government is committed to ushering in a new era of agricultural transformation by modernising farming practices, enhancing farmers’ incomes, and connecting them with cutting-edge technologies such as AI and agritech innovations, while expanding access to food processing and global markets.
“This landmark initiative will bring together thousands of farmers, experts and investors on a single, dynamic platform,” he said.
He further noted that the government is integrating key departments—including agriculture, electricity, cooperatives, animal husbandry and fisheries—to create a unified ecosystem for holistic farmer development.
“Our goal is to harness technology to drive sustainable growth and empower our farmers with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive,” he added.
Highlighting progress in the agriculture sector, Rajasthan Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena said the state government is strengthening the agritech ecosystem through policy support, infrastructure development and innovation, creating a conducive environment for investors and entrepreneurs.
During the event, a film on GRAM 2026 was showcased, highlighting opportunities in Rajasthan’s agriculture and agritech sectors, an official release said.
Extensive deliberations on agriculture, agritech, investment and partnership opportunities were held during the meet, with participants exploring collaborative pathways to strengthen the sector.
The main event, GRAM 2026, is scheduled to be held from May 23 to 25, 2026, in Jaipur, with expected participation from investors, industry leaders and policymakers from across India and abroad.
As part of the preparatory outreach, roadshows have already been conducted in Jaipur and New Delhi, with more planned across major cities to further expand the reach of the initiative, the release added.
