Angul: In a major breakthrough under “Operation Prahaar 2.0”, police in Angul district have seized 1,573 kilograms of ganja and arrested one person, busting an inter-state narcotics network.
The seizure was made near JSPL Phase-II under the jurisdiction of Nisha Industrial Police Station. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a joint team comprising the district Special Squad and Nisha Police intercepted a truck during a search operation. Upon inspection, police recovered 63 bags of cannabis concealed inside the vehicle.
The total contraband seized weighed approximately 15 quintals and 73 kilograms, with its estimated market value believed to be over Rs 1.5 crore. The truck used for transportation and a mobile phone have also been seized.
The accused, who has been identified as the driver and owner of the vehicle, was arrested at the spot. Police have registered a case at Nisha Industrial Police Station vide Case No. 51/26 under Sections 20(b)(ii)(C) and 29 of the NDPS Act.
According to officials, the ganja was allegedly sourced from Kandhamal district and was being transported to neighbouring states of Jharkhand and Bihar for distribution.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Angul Superintendent of Police Rahul Jain. Speaking on the development, Angul SDPO Ramakanta Mahalik said that the accused had procured the cannabis from Kandhamal and was planning to transport it to 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,” he said.
Police said further investigation is underway to trace other members of the interstate drug supply network, reiterating a zero-tolerance stance against narcotics trafficking.
