Virar: A 43-year-old woman was arrested and over 20 kg of cannabis valued at Rs 8.06 lakh seized. The accused, identified as Sharada alias Kudi Gopi Banjara, was found in possession of the narcotic while travelling by auto-rickshaw from Mira Road toward Nalasopara.

Acting on a tip-off received by police sub-inspector Suhas Kamble, inspector Shahuraj Ranavare of the Crime Branch Unit-3 directed police to lay a trap near Star Apartment on the Link Road between Nalasopara West and Virar West.

Police intercepted an auto rickshaw. Upon questioning, the woman passenger identified herself as Sharada alias Kudi Gopi Banjara, a resident of Nalasopara East.

A search of her belongings led to the recovery of 20.17 kg of cannabis. The entire consignment, estimated to be worth Rs 8,06,840, was seized, and the woman was taken into custody on the spot.

Further investigation revealed that the accused had previously been externed from Palghar district for two years.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act—Section 8(c), 20(b)—and Section 142 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951.

The accused was produced before the court, which has remanded her to police custody until June 12 for further investigation.