Malkangiri: A huge quantity of ganja estimated to be worth around Rs 1.02 crore was seized from a forest area near MV-73 village in Kalimela area of Odisha’s Malkangiri district, police said on Wednesday.
Acting on information about a large quantity of ganja allegedly concealed inside the forest, a police team conducted a raid in the area and recovered the contraband, weighing over 1,025 kg.
However, people involved in the illegal trade had fled the spot before the police team reached there. The ganja is suspected to have been concealed in the forest for subsequent transportation to other states.
Police have launched an investigation to identify those behind the consignment, ascertain the source of the ganja and determine its intended destination.
The seizure comes amid intensified action under the state government’s ‘Nisha Mukta Odisha’ campaign, under which police have been conducting raids as well as awareness programmes against drug abuse and trafficking.
Officials said Kalimela police have seized more than three tonnes of ganja in raids at different locations over the past month.
