Koraput: In a major success under Operation Prahar, police in Padwa, Koraput district, seized 810 kg of ganja from a truck on Wednesday afternoon and arrested the driver.
According to official sources, police received a tip-off that a truck was transporting contraband from Muchimput in Andhra Pradesh to Hyderabad via Badadebata Chowk.
Acting on the information, a day patrolling team led by Sub Inspector HSRRB Benia set up a checkpoint near Badadebata Chowk.
Around 2.10 p.m., the suspected truck was spotted approaching at high speed. When signaled to stop, the driver attempted to flee but was chased by police. After abandoning the vehicle near Sirasamal village, the driver tried to escape into a nearby forest but was apprehended shortly after.
During interrogation, the accused driver—identified as Gobarvhan Samadhan Ingle (28) of Washim district, Maharashtra—confessed that he and his employer Surya of Hyderabad had procured ganja from the interior jungles of Muchimput on September 8. The contraband had been packed into secret cavities of the truck by local labourers.
A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 405 packets of ganja, each weighing 2 kg, with a total weight of 810 kg. The seizure was carried out in the presence of witnesses and an Executive Magistrate.
The accused has been arrested and booked under Section 20(b)(ii)(C) of the NDPS Act. A case has been registered at Padwa Police Station in this connection on Wednesday. Police said efforts are underway to nab the absconding owner, Surya.
The investigation is being led by Sub Inspector S.K. Sethi.
