Sonepur: Four persons were arrested and 1.44 quintals of ganja seized from them in a special operation by the police in Odisha’s Sonepur district.
The arrested persons included a key accused, identified as Bhagaban Sahu of Sankartikra village, police said on Tuesday
Acting on a confidential information, Rampur Police launched an operation and intercepted two vehicles transporting ganja from Boudh district.
The police team detected a black SUV and a white car near Andharibanji village road. Both vehicles attempted to escape, but officers pursued and caught them outside Sahu’s residence. The accused, including Sangram Patra, a CCL from Andharibanji, and Deben Rajput of Madhya Pradesh, tried to flee, but police apprehended them.
Investigators said the accused unloaded 1.4 quintals of ganja at Sahu’s house to avoid detection. Police searched the house in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses. The team recovered five large bags containing 137 smaller packets and another bag of unwrapped ganja. They also seized both carrier vehicles. Authorities valued the seized ganja at Rs. 14,40,050.
Rampur Police registered a case under sections 20(b)(ii)(C), 25, and 29 of the NDPS Act. Inspector Padmasini Meher is leading the investigation to trace the wider network and sources of supply.
Police also reported another major seizure on November 9, when Dunguripali Police confiscated 2.5 quintals of ganja.