Auto-rickshaw carrying Ganja seized in Odisha’s Ganjam; 1 arrested

In a swift operation, Patapur police in Ganjam district seized an auto-rickshaw carrying ganja and arrested one person in this connection during routine checking and road-blocking on Monday. The contraband item was allegedly being transported from Mohana towards Berhampur when the police team intercepted the vehicle.

Also Read: 70kg ganja seized during raid in Odisha, one arrested

Acting on intelligence inputs, the police team had set up a blockade near Podamari outpost. During the check, officers stopped an auto-rickshaw suspected of illegal activity. Upon inspection, they found a large quantity of ganja hidden inside the vehicle. The accused was taken into custody, and the three-wheeler was seized on the spot.

Police sources said further investigation is underway to trace the entire network involved in the smuggling operation. The successful interception has been hailed as a major step in curbing narcotics trafficking in the Ganjam district.

However, no comments were received from the local police in this regard.

Worth mentioning, earlier in another incident and in a major crackdown on illegal narcotics smuggling, Ghantapada police in Boudh district on Saturday had seized a huge quantity of Ganja (cannabis) and arrested one person in connection with the case.

The seizure had taken place near Siletpada Chhak on Ghantapada–Uden Road during a late-night patrolling operation.

According to official sources, the police team had been conducting routine night patrolling when they noticed a motorcycle moving suspiciously on the stretch. Police signalled the rider to stop, and upon thorough checking, they discovered around 70 kilograms of Ganja packed in several bundles and kept on the two-wheeler.

The accused, identified as Birendra Pradhan, was then immediately taken into custody.

Preliminary investigation had suggested that the Ganja was being transported to nearby districts for illegal trading. Local police suspected that the accused might be part of a larger inter-district smuggling network operating in the region.