TV
In a startling revelation, a seemingly regular spice distribution shop in Bhubaneswar's busy Unit-4 Market was found to be a front for an illegal cannabis (ganja) trade. Acting on a tip-off, the Commissionerate Police, along with the Special Task Force (STF), conducted a joint raid on the premises on Friday and uncovered a significant quantity of processed cannabis being sold under the guise of a legitimate business.
The raid led to the seizure of large amounts of powdered ganja, which was being cleverly packed into cigarettes and sold discreetly to customers.
The setup, hidden behind a banner advertising spices and grocery items, had been running unnoticed for some time, attracting suspicion only recently due to increased footfall and suspicious activity.
During questioning, the shopkeeper attempted to mislead the authorities by claiming the seized material was not cannabis but a form of bidi (traditional hand-rolled cigarettes) filler. However, preliminary testing and packaging evidence strongly indicated that it was indeed processed ganja.
Police sources confirmed that the accused had been converting raw cannabis into powder, rolling it into cigarette-like forms to avoid detection, and distributing it to a regular clientele. Authorities believe this method was designed to bypass casual scrutiny and cater to consumers looking for an easy and discreet way to access narcotics.
Crackdown Intensified
The Commissionerate Police have intensified their crackdown on narcotics under a special drive aimed at eradicating drug peddling networks in urban markets and neighbourhoods. Several raids have been conducted in recent weeks across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, and more such inspections are expected in the coming days.
This particular case highlights the evolving methods adopted by drug traffickers to conceal their operations and reinforces the need for community vigilance and stricter monitoring of commercial establishments suspected of dual-purpose activities.
“We are not supplying. Several youngsters come here and they bring ganja on their own,” clarified one of the detained persons.
