Jeypore: The Sadar police in Jeypore of Koraput district seized a whopping 494 kg of ganja worth around Rs 50 lakh from a cabbage-laden truck near Patrapur Bridge under Sadar Police Station.
Two persons identified as Dillip Kumar Ray (33) of Ranchi (Jharkhand) and Manoj Paswan (40) of Samastipur (Bihar) have been arrested in this connection.
According to sources, officer in-charge A Mahakud of Jeypore Sadar police station received reliable information that a huge cache of ganja was being transported from Lamtaput in a truck bearing registration No AP31TT6859. Acting swiftly, a team led by Mahakud, and the SI of the police station, NK Toppo proceeded to the spot near Patraput Bridge and apprehended the two accused from the vehicle after inspection.
The vehicle was searched in presence of Executive magistrate and other witnesses and 494 kg of ganja was recovered from the vehicle. As per police sources, the contraband haul was being transported to Ranchi. Cash of Rs 1500 and as many as 10 pockets of cabbage and the vehicle was confiscated.
In a related case, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Crime Branch seized 72 kg of ganja during smuggling in a pick-up van near Sankhari Chhak under Baunsuni police limits in Boudh district and arrested two persons - Laxman Jala of Chatwa of Koraput and Ramesh Chandra Kausalya of Kachapai in Rayagada district.
The vehicle bearing registration no OD05AZ6553 and other incriminating materials were seized from their possession and further investigation is underway.
During last two months, STF has conducted raids at various places and detected eight cases against drug peddlers. The STF has arrested nine accused persons and seized a total of 4.506 kg of brown sugar, 2072 kg ganja and other incriminating materials.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)