Odisha Excise sleuths seized around 25 kg ganja during a raid near Kalinga Ghati under Bhanjanagar block in Ganjam district on Saturday.
As many as three smugglers have been arrested in this connection. Two bikes have also been seized from the smugglers.
As per reports, the smugglers were carrying the contraband in an innovative way by packing it inside an LPG cylinder.
Acting on a tip-off from a reliable source, Excise officials intercepted the vehicle near Kalinga Ghati and nabbed the smugglers. After checking the vehicle, they found the contraband stuffed inside the gas cylinder in an innovative way to evade the glare of police.
While being interrogated one of the accused named Jayant Behera admitted that they have been smuggling ganja in this manner since long.
“We use gas cutters to open the LPG cylinder from middle and then fix it to hide the ganja,” said Behera.
Further investigation into the incident is underway. Excise officials are trying to get to the root of the smuggling racket.