RAUTAHAT: Police seized a total of 16 kg marijuana from three persons from different locations in Rautahat district on Sunday.

According to the District Police Office (DPO), Ram Naresh Sah and Bajrangi Prasad Gupta, locals of Saruatha in the district were arrested with nine kg weed during a security check near the Nepal-India border.

The arrestee duo were en route to India via Banjaraha.

Police had planned an ambush in the border area to capture the smugglers after they received the information about drug peddling activities with the use of unregistered motorcycles.

Meanwhile, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Chandan Singh of Dumariya Matiaun Area Police Office arrested Subodh Patel (24), a local of Bishrampur, and seized six kg weeds hidden in his bag.

The arrestee has been sent to the District Police office for further investigation, said Inspector Ashok Jha.

All the three suspects were paraded today.

The suspects have been taken into custody and are being prepared for the trial under the Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act, 1976.

Considering the rise in incidents of smuggling of prohibited drugs, police have increased the security checks and patrolling, which resulted in the arrests, Jha said.