Phulbani: In major narcotics haul, police seized ganja worth over Rs 30 crore in a sustained operation carried out over the last two days in Odisha’s Kandhamal district.
Around 21,500 kg of ganja was recovered from different parts of the district. The seizures were made in areas under Phulbani Sadar police station, Gochapada police sta
tion, Baliguda police station, Phiringia, and K. Nuagaon police station limits, a senior police official said.
The market value of the seized contraband is estimated to be over Rs 30 crore, making it one of the largest hauls in the district in recent times. The coordinated operation led to the registration of 44 cases across various police stations in the district.
During the operation, altogether 74 persons, including 11 women, were arrested for their alleged involvement in ganja smuggling. Around 25 vehicles used to transport the contraband were also seized by the police.
Police are intensifying efforts to eliminate ganja cultivation as well as smuggling and more people are expected to be apprehended in future.