Bhubaneswar: In a significant crackdown, the Excise Department arrested a driver and seized a pickup van loaded with approximately 4 quintals of ganja (marijuana) on Monday.
The operation took place on National Highway 16, near the Nirakarpur Level Crossing area under the Tangi police limits in Cuttack district.
The arrested driver has been identified as Purna Chandra Dey, a resident of Brahmagiri in Puri district.
According to reports, the Excise Department had received confidential information regarding the smuggling of marijuana in the Nirakarpur area.
Acting on a tip-off, the Tangi Excise team stopped the vehicle around 6:30 am during routine patrolling.
Upon inspecting the pickup van, they found 4 quintals and 1.6 kilograms of ganja hidden inside, along with two mobile phones.
Sumati Tripathi, Excise Officer of Tangi, confirmed that the estimated value of the seized ganja and related items is approximately Rs 45 lakh.
She further stated that the consignment was being transported from Sheragada in Ganjam district to Brahmagiri, but was intercepted by the Excise Department at Nirakarpur.
A case has been registered against the driver, and authorities are on the lookout for others involved in the smuggling operation. Tripathi also revealed that the arrested individual had been previously involved in similar illegal activities.
