New Delhi, Oct 24: In a major breakthrough against narcotics trafficking, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested the kingpin of an inter-state drug syndicate that smuggled hybrid ganja (marijuana) into India from abroad, the police said on Friday.

The accused, identified as Zamjith K.P. alias Samjhu (38), a native of Calicut, Kerala, was detained at Mangaluru Airport on October 21 after arriving from Dubai.

According to the Crime Branch, Zamjith had been absconding for months and was the prime mover behind a sophisticated drug network operating across several states.

“During the course of investigation, continuous efforts were made to trace and apprehend the accused Zamjith @ Samjhu, and he was successfully detained at Mangaluru Airport on October 21, 2025, upon his arrival from Dubai,” the police said.

His arrest comes months after three of his associates — Fahim Ahmad K.M., Deepak Sharma alias Deepu, and Sameer — were nabbed on July 9 with 4.13 kg of hybrid ganja.

A case (FIR No. 175/25) was registered under sections 20 and 29 of the NDPS Act at the Crime Branch police station.

Investigations revealed that Zamjith, who previously lived in Cambodia for nearly nine years dealing in the tobacco trade, later shifted to Thailand, where he allegedly ran his narcotics operations.

He is accused of smuggling high-grade hybrid ganja into India through international cargo consignments routed via Mumbai and Delhi airports, using a network of couriers and distributors.

“So far, a total of four persons have been arrested, and further investigation is in progress to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in this interstate drug syndicate. Efforts are also being made to dismantle the entire network and ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice,” said DCP Pankaj Kumar.

The Crime Branch is now probing financial transactions and communication trails to uncover the wider network and identify overseas links involved in trafficking hybrid ganja into India.

Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna starrer Thamma and Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa starrer Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat clashed at the box office on Diwali. However, both films took a good start according to the genre and the screens they got. While Thamma collected Rs. 24 crore on its day one, EDKD collected Rs. 9 crore.

On its day two, as expected, both movies showed a drop, and now, on its day three which was a holiday (Bhai Dooj), the films have once again shown a drop in the collection.

According to Sacnilk, Thamma, on its third day, collected approximately Rs. 12.50 crore, and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat collected approximately Rs. 6 crore. So, the Ayushmann-Rashmika starrer has collected Rs. 55.10 crore, and the Harshvardhan-Sonam starrer has collected Rs. 22.75 crore in three days.

Thamma is reportedly made on a budget of Rs. 140-145 crore. So, the film needs to show a huge jump at the box office over the weekend (Saturday and Sunday). If the collection further drops, then it won’t be a good sign for the movie.

Ek Deewani Ki Deewaniyat is reportedly made on a budget of Rs. 30 crore, so the film is in a safe zone. In the next couple of days, it will surpass its budget. But, to become a hit, the movie needs to continue to be steady at the box office in the coming days.

Meanwhile, on Friday, which is a working day, it expected that both movie will once again show a drop in collection. However, it will be interesting to see whether they will collect a good amount during the weekend or not.

Maharashtra Revenue Minister and senior BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule issued a stern caution to party workers, saying that their mobile phones and WhatsApp groups are being monitored ahead of the upcoming local body elections.

Speaking at a Diwali gathering in Bhandara, he urged party members to avoid careless comments or any act of rebellion that could harm the party’s image and electoral prospects.

“Everyone’s mobile phones and WhatsApp groups are under surveillance. Every word you speak is being monitored. A single wrong button on your phone can destroy the next five years,” Bawankule told workers. The event was attended by several senior BJP leaders, including Guardian Minister Pankaj Bhoyar.

Bawankule reminded members that discontent over ticket distribution should not spill into public forums or social media. “Sometimes, workers or office-bearers who are upset about not getting a ticket create a scene or express anger. But now, if anyone rebels, the doors of leadership will be closed for them,” he said firmly.

He stressed that loyalty and discipline would be key in the upcoming polls, warning that public dissent could result in long-term political consequences.

The minister appealed for unity and caution among party workers, urging them to prioritise the party’s collective goals over personal grievances.

“Your one wrong decision can ruin Bhandara’s future and damage the party. Don’t let a careless message or wrong click harm the development work being done under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.

Bawankule emphasised that a disciplined and united BJP would strengthen the government’s ongoing efforts toward Maharashtra’s growth.

Maharashtra is gearing up for long-delayed local body elections, including polls for municipal corporations, councils, zilla parishads, and panchayat samitis.

The elections, postponed for years due to the OBC reservation issue and delimitation of wards, are expected to see intense competition among political parties.

With the polls approaching, leaders like Bawankule are attempting to contain internal rifts and prevent defections, ensuring the BJP enters the race with a cohesive front.