Jharsuguda: Jharsuguda Police have seized 119.860 kg of ganja of commercial quantity and seized the vehicle allegedly used for its transportation during a night patrolling operation, dealing a major blow to an illegal narcotics smuggling network in the district.
The seizure was made by a team from Rengali Police Station during the intervening night of July 7 and 8 as part of the ongoing Nasha Mukt Odisha Abhiyan. The operation was conducted near Govindpur Toll Gate, where the patrolling team spotted a suspicious vehicle moving at high speed.
According to police, a team led by Sub-Inspector Puspa Khamari was conducting night patrolling when they noticed a white Maruti Ertiga travelling from Lakhanpur towards Kanaktora at around 3:50 am. When police signalled the vehicle to stop, the driver allegedly accelerated and attempted to flee.
The police team chased the vehicle up to the Katarbaga RI Office area. However, the driver abandoned the vehicle on Darridhipa Road and escaped into a nearby forest, taking advantage of the darkness.
During a search conducted in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses, police recovered three plastic bags containing 119.860 kg of ganja from the abandoned vehicle. Two additional registration number plates were also recovered, indicating an attempt to conceal the identity of the vehicle.
Police seized the contraband ganja, the white Maruti Ertiga, and the two additional number plates as part of the investigation.
A case has been registered at Rengali Police Station vide Case No. 184 dated July 8, 2026, under Section 20(b)(ii)(C) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Police have launched an investigation to identify and arrest the absconding accused and trace the interstate network allegedly involved in the illegal transportation of narcotics.
Jharsuguda Police said that strict action against drug traffickers will continue under the Nasha Mukt Odisha Abhiyan and appealed to citizens to share information related to narcotics activities to help curb the illegal trade.
