Acting on a tip-off, Thadagam police arrested a 46-year-old Odisha native for allegedly cultivating two ganja plants hidden among vegetable crops in the backyard of his rented house in Pannimadai. The 7-foot-tall plants weighing 1.445 kg were seized, and a case has been registered under the NDPS Act.
Coimbatore: What appeared to be an ordinary kitchen garden in a residential neighbourhood turned out to be the site of illegal ganja cultivation, leading to the arrest of a 46-year-old Odisha native by Thadagam police.
The accused was identified as Madhabananda Jena, a native of Bhadrak district in Odisha. Police said he had been residing in Coimbatore for the past 27 years and was employed in the construction sector. He had been living with his wife in a rented house in Ganesh Nagar, Pannimadai, for the last four years.
According to the investigation, around five months ago, Jena had planted vegetables in the vacant space behind the house for domestic use. Alongside the vegetable crops, he allegedly cultivated two ganja plants for personal consumption, maintaining them discreetly to avoid attracting attention. Over time, the plants reportedly grew to a height of nearly seven feet.
Acting on a tip-off that ganja plants were being cultivated in the residential locality, a special police team led by Thadagam Inspector Sumathi conducted a surprise raid at the house located opposite the Nagavalliamman Temple in Pannimadai.
During the search, police discovered and seized two fully grown ganja plants weighing 1.445 kilograms from the backyard. The plants were uprooted and confiscated as evidence.
Madhabananda Jena was arrested for illegally cultivating narcotic plants, and a case was registered at the Thadagam Police Station under the provisions of the NDPS Act in Crime No. 222/2026 under Sections 8(b) read with 20(a)(1).
Ganja cultivation within a residential neighbourhood has created a stir in Coimbatore.
The accused was identified as Madhabananda Jena, a native of Bhadrak district in Odisha. Police said he had been residing in Coimbatore for the past 27 years and was employed in the construction sector. He had been living with his wife in a rented house in Ganesh Nagar, Pannimadai, for the last four years.
According to the investigation, around five months ago, Jena had planted vegetables in the vacant space behind the house for domestic use. Alongside the vegetable crops, he allegedly cultivated two ganja plants for personal consumption, maintaining them discreetly to avoid attracting attention. Over time, the plants reportedly grew to a height of nearly seven feet.
Acting on a tip-off that ganja plants were being cultivated in the residential locality, a special police team led by Thadagam Inspector Sumathi conducted a surprise raid at the house located opposite the Nagavalliamman Temple in Pannimadai.
During the search, police discovered and seized two fully grown ganja plants weighing 1.445 kilograms from the backyard. The plants were uprooted and confiscated as evidence.
Madhabananda Jena was arrested for illegally cultivating narcotic plants, and a case was registered at the Thadagam Police Station under the provisions of the NDPS Act in Crime No. 222/2026 under Sections 8(b) read with 20(a)(1).
Ganja cultivation within a residential neighbourhood has created a stir in Coimbatore.