Koraput: In a major crackdown on ganja smuggling, Baipariguda Police seized 1 quintal and 58 kilograms of ganja that was being transported in a vegetable-laden vehicle at Kurulgad Square under Baipariguda block on Saturday.
Acting on a tip-off, OIC Dambarudhar Batria of Baipariguda police station directed SI Dhirendra Barik to form a special team, which intercepted the vehicle — a mini truck — and conducted a thorough search. The contraband, cleverly concealed among sacks of vegetables, was recovered from the vehicle.
Police have arrested three accused, identified as Raju Mandal from the Raighar police station area in Nabarangpur district, and Krishna Singh and Hritik Chauhan, both from Uttar Pradesh.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the ganja was being smuggled from Balimela in Malkangiri district to Uttar Pradesh, passing through Kudumulugumma and Baipariguda. The seized vehicle and the ganja have been taken into custody, and the accused were produced in court following registration of a case under Baipariguda police station.
Police sources said the operation is part of an intensified drive against interstate narcotics trafficking networks operating through the Koraput-Malkangiri corridor.
