ALAPPUZHA (KERALA) — A 37-year-old retired Indian Navy officer was arrested in Kerala’s coastal Alappuzha district on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, after Excise officials allegedly seized 1.2 kg of ganja and 10 cannabis plants from his residence. The accused, identified as Binu V. William, a resident of Mararikulam South panchayat, was apprehended following a targeted raid in the Poomkavu area on Tuesday afternoon.
The operation was conducted by the Excise Enforcement and Anti-Narcotic Special Squad, acting on a specific tip-off regarding the storage and cultivation of narcotics. According to a senior Excise officer, William had recently taken voluntary retirement after 15 years of service in the Navy. Investigators believe the accused had been consuming contraband during his tenure in the military and continued the habit post-retirement. Preliminary questioning revealed that William frequently sourced the ganja from Bengaluru to supply his personal requirement and local distribution.
During the search, the team led by Circle Inspector A. Sebastian recovered the processed ganja stored inside the house and found 10 cannabis plants being cultivated in the surrounding compound. William has been taken into custody and a case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The Excise Department has announced that it will intensify such inspections across the state, particularly with an eye on drug-related activities during the upcoming election period.
