In a major crackdown at the Nepal–India border, police in Rautahat district intercepted 133 kilograms of marijuana hidden inside a car on Monday. The operation took place in Rajpur Municipality’s Pipra Tole, where authorities had received a tip about potential drug trafficking activity along a rural roadside. The haul marked one of the largest local seizures, heightening concerns about cross-border smuggling networks.
Marijuana Smuggling in Nepal: An Updated Picture
This incident is part of a larger trend. In January, police recovered 91 kg of marijuana from another vehicle in Rautahat’s Pipra area. Other large hauls have occurred across southern Nepal from 670 kg hidden in haystacks near Saptari to 1,636 kg seized in Jhapa, and 180 kg discovered in an Indian ambulance at Sunsari. These seizures show the scale and sophistication of illicit smuggling routes.
Smugglers often exploit Nepal’s open and porous border with India and rural transport routes to move contraband. Transit hubs such as Parsa, Saptari, and Rautahat are commonly used. Local law enforcement has intensified patrols and raids to combat this ongoing trade.
Nepal’s Cannabis Laws and Shifting Attitudes
Cannabis has a long cultural and religious history in Nepal, especially during festivals like Maha Shivaratri, where devotees of Lord Shiva traditionally use the substance as part of their rituals.
However, legally, cannabis remains a banned substance under the 1976 Narcotic Drugs Control Act. This law prohibits the cultivation, production, possession, sale, and use of cannabis, except for strictly regulated medical or scientific purposes approved by the government.
Despite the legal restrictions, enforcement has often been inconsistent over the years. In many rural areas, cannabis has been grown for generations, either for traditional use or as a source of income. But authorities have recently begun to tighten enforcement, especially after growing international attention to drug trafficking routes through South Asia. Public consumption, even during festivals, is now subject to stricter monitoring and legal action.
Rautahat Police Force Focuses More on Detail Investigation
Police are continuing the investigation interviewing suspects, tracing ownership of the vehicles, and working across district lines to map the trafficking network. Prosecutors may pursue strong charges given Nepal’s strict narcotics law. Additionally, authorities may step up patrols along the East-West Highway and customs routes to deter future shipments.
At the same time, security agencies are considering boosting surveillance and deploying additional checkpoints along key transit points, especially on the East-West Highway and near customs posts, to prevent future incidents and crack down on organized narcotics trafficking rings.
