Ganja worth over Rs 1.5 crore seized in Odisha

In a major crackdown against drug trafficking, police in Angul district seized a truck loaded with Ganja (cannabis) and arrested its owner on Thursday.

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Acting on intelligence inputs, a team of the district police intercepted the vehicle near JSPL Phase-2 under Nisha Industrial Police Station limits. A total of 63 bags of the cannabis were recovered from the truck during search operation.

The seized contraband items weighed approximately 15 quintals and 73 kilograms, with its estimated market value believed to be more than Rs 1.5 crore.

According to officials, the accused, who is also the truck owner, had allegedly sourced the cannabis from Kandhamal and was planning to transport it to Jharkhand and Bihar for distribution.

The raid was conducted jointly by the district’s Special Squad and Nisha Police under the supervision of Angul SP Rahul Jain.

The successful operation has dealt a significant blow to an inter-state drug supply network and highlights intensified efforts by police to curb illegal narcotics trade.

“This cannabis was procured from Kandhamal, and the accused had planned to transport it to neighbouring Bihar and Jharkhand. We are currently taking steps to initiate legal action against everyone involved in this matter. From what we have ascertained so far, this person, along with several others, was making arrangements for the shipment. The individual who has been apprehended is the driver and owner of the vehicle, and he is the principal accused in the case,” Angul SDPO, Ramakanta Mahalik, said.

Reported By: Prakash Mohanty