Sambalpur: A massive haul of paddy was seized by Excise department sleuths while being smuggled to West Bengal near Satupali under Dhankauda block in Sambalpur district.
As per reports, local farmers had tipped off the department officials about the suspicious movement of the truck. Upon investigation, the officials found that the truck bearing a West Bengal registration number (WB33-B-0145) was carrying a large quantity of paddy without any valid documents.
The truck owner, who is a resident of the Lahunipada area in Sundergarh district, produced the vehicle’s documents but has failed to show any papers related to the paddy. The sleuths seized the truck and the paddy and are investigating further, revealed sources.
The investigating officials are verifying the claims and are likely to take further action soon.