Bhubaneswar: Ganjam Police on Saturday busted an interstate drug smuggling racket and seized 100 kg of ganja worth lakhs of rupees, concealed inside a specially fabricated hidden compartment of an SUV. Four persons allegedly involved in the operation were arrested.
The arrested have been identified as Muralidhara Sethi (40) of Kadalibada Sahi near Haridakhandi in Berhampur; Gopal Gamanga (54) and Mikhal Gamanga (40) of Naktiri village under Badagada police limits; and Esha Jani (28) of Ghasi Amba under Pattapur police station limits in Ganjam district.
Acting on a specific tip-off, Badagada Police intercepted a Ford Endeavour suspected to be carrying contraband. During a detailed search, officers discovered a specially designed secret chamber inside the vehicle in which the ganja was concealed. The operation also led to the seizure of two Apache motorcycles allegedly linked to the smuggling network.
Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the consignment was sourced from Naktiri village in Ganjam and was being transported towards Gujarat via Berhampur when it was intercepted.
A case has been registered at Badagada Police Station (Case No. 244 dated 28.06.2026) under Sections 20(b)(ii)(C) and 29 of the NDPS Act. All four accused were produced before the court for further legal proceedings.
Further investigation is underway to identify other links in the interstate narcotics network.
