Nepal’s Armed Police Force (APF), the country’s paramilitary force, seized over 1,100 kilograms of cannabis (ganja) in Siraha, Madhesh Province, early Thursday morning, October 1, 2026. The substantial haul was recovered near the Gagana River bridge at Bishwakarma Chowk in Sukhipur Municipality-10, Siraha, following a special intelligence operation.
A 29-member APF team, operating under the command of APF Nepal No. 7 Battalion Headquarters Siraha, intercepted the smugglers around 12:36 AM. Upon seeing the security personnel, the individuals involved in the trafficking abandoned 26 sacks of cannabis, a Bolero vehicle (Ba 14 Cha 294), and an Apache motorcycle (Sa 6 P 4859) before fleeing the scene. The APF has initiated the process to hand over the seized cannabis and vehicles to the relevant authorities for further legal action.
Drug Trafficking Challenge in Madhesh Province
This large seizure highlights the persistent challenge of drug trafficking in Madhesh Province. The region, which shares an open border with India, has long been identified as a sensitive transit route for illicit drug trade. The Madhesh Province Police has been actively conducting campaigns to control and reduce drug-related crimes.
According to Madhesh Province Police data, the fiscal year 2080/081 (BS) saw 1,108 individuals arrested and 796 cases registered in connection with drug offenses. In the first seven months of the current fiscal year 081/082 (BS), 460 people have been arrested and 332 cases filed, underscoring the widespread nature of drug activities in the area.
Law Enforcement Intensifies Efforts
The seizure comes shortly after Armed Police Force Inspector General Narayan Datta Paudel issued directives on October 1, 2026, to APF battalions, companies, and border outposts in Madhesh Province, urging them to act decisively against cross-border crimes. Similarly, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Om Prasad Adhikari, the chief of Madhesh Province Police, recently signed performance contracts with District Police Office chiefs for the fiscal year 2083/2084 (BS), identifying drug trafficking control as a major challenge.
Historically, cannabis cultivation and use were legal in Nepal until the 1970s, contributing to tourism and revenue. However, due to international pressure and changes in legislation, its production and trafficking became illegal, leading to the emergence of organized smuggling networks.
Legal Framework and Next Steps
The seized cannabis and vehicles will be handed over to a relevant body, such as the District Police Office or the Narcotics Control Bureau, Nepal’s central agency for drug crime prevention and control, which also has branch offices in Siraha and Bardibas, Mahottari. Under Nepal’s Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act, 2033 (BS), samples of seized drugs are sent for testing, and the remaining quantities are destroyed after legal procedures are completed. The search for the absconding smugglers is ongoing.
The identity of the individuals involved in the trafficking, the precise source and intended destination of the 1,102 kilograms of cannabis, and its estimated market value remain unknown. The specific “relevant body” to which the seized materials will be transferred has also not been explicitly stated.
