Police Unearth Root In Ganja Smuggling Link Between Odisha & Nagpur

Koraput: The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) from Nagpur and Jeypore Sadar police from Odisha have made a breakthrough after unearthing the source in intra-State ganja smuggling racket.

The joint squad had arrested one KhagapatiPangi from Kalguda village under Jeypore Sadar police limits on Saturday following an investigation into the inter-state smuggling.

“Earlier on December 7, the ATS team had arrested one Bhenkatrao Babu Mohite from Nagpur in connection with ganja smuggling. The root of the inter-state ganja smuggling was traced following the interrogation of Mohite and as many as 25 others. Subsequently their link with Odisha was traced and the squad arrested Pangi,” said Jeypore Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Avishekh.

“Further investigation into the incident is underway and we are hopeful that the picture regarding the Odisha link of the inter-state smuggling will be clearer following the interrogation of Pangi,” he said.

According to ATS sources, Pangi was allegedly transporting ganja to Nagpur of Maharashtra from the district.

Acting on a tip-off, the ATS team from Nagpur led by Sub Inspector Asish Thakur in association with Jeypore Police had conducted a raid at Kalguda village and arrested the accused late night in a joint operation.

“The accused has been taken to Nagpur for further interrogation. He will be produced before the concerned court soon,” said Avishekh.

The ATS has registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act against Pangi.

(Edited by Suryakant Jena)