Major drug haul in Malkangiri as ganja worth Rs 1 crore seized by Kalimela Police

In a major breakthrough against narcotics trafficking, Kalimela police in Odisha’s Malkangiri district seized a massive consignment of cannabis weighing around 1,250 kilograms from a forest area under their jurisdiction on Sunday. The seized contraband is estimated to be worth over Rs 1 crore in the illegal market.

According to police sources, the ganja was concealed inside the Bhejangiwada forest within the limits of Kalimela police station. Smugglers had allegedly stocked the large consignment at the secluded location with plans to transport it to other states. However, the traffickers fled the spot after spotting the police team approaching the area.

The seizure was made following specific intelligence inputs, after which a special police team conducted a raid in the forest and recovered the huge cache. Although no arrests were made during the operation, police said efforts are underway to identify and apprehend those involved in the smuggling racket.

Officials added that investigations are being intensified at multiple locations to trace the wider network behind the operation. Police said drug traffickers often operate in scattered groups, making immediate arrests difficult.

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Sources further revealed that illegal cannabis cultivation continues in the region, with plantations reportedly spread across nearly 1,000 acres. Police officials stressed that eradicating such plantations remains a priority to curb drug trafficking at its source. Further investigation is underway.