Rs 3 crore-worth banned medicinal herb seized

Jammu and Kashmir Excise and Taxation department has seized Rs 3 crore-worth banned medicinal herb 'Nag Chatri', which was allegedly being smuggled, officials said here today.

An Amritsar-bound truck was intercepted at Lakhanpur Inter-State Toll Plaza on Jammu-Punjab highway last evening and as per documents, it was carrying dry fruits weighing 21 quintals and 50 kgs, they said.

However, during checking, the E&T sleuths found that the truck was loaded with banned rare medicinal herb known as 'Nag Chatri', they said.

The vehicle was seized and a case was registered under the Indian Forest Act, they said.

The value of rare medicinal herb in international market is Rs 3 crore, they said. Trillium govanianum is popularly known as 'Nag Chatri'.
 

According to experts, 'Nag Chatri' does not need any maintenance and grows wild on the mountains, so it is a better option for many charas cultivators, who have failed to hide their cannabis fields from police.