Acting on a tip-off, excise officials seized a car engaged used for the illegal transportation of ganja (dry cannabis). Surprisingly, the seized vehicle has the sticker of the ruling BJD party, which has now raised suspicion.
As per reports, around 84 kgs of ganja has been seized from the car by the sleuths of Excise intelligence at Berhampur's first gate. Sources said that the vehicle carried BJD stickers in two places and an investigation has been started to ascertain its owner.
Five persons travelling in the car have been detained for interrogation.
"We have arrested the persons who are tightlipped. All of them hail from Kandhamal and we are trying to ascertain further details regarding source and supply of ganja," said Snehalata Nayak, DSP Excise Intelligence Department.
Sources said that the ganja was meant to be delivered somewhere in Bhubaneswar.
No comments could be obtained from the accused or BJD.
Following the seizure of the contraband, BJP leader Anil Biswal said, ”The BJD is not clarifying about the ownership of the car and if the car has links with any leader of the party. Since the ruling party is not coming out with a clarification, it is assumed that ganja smuggling was going on in the car of a BJD leader.”