Koraput: Unearthing a novel way of smuggling ganja using school bags, police on Saturday arrested seven persons and seized over 20 kg of contraband in Malagaon area of Odisha’s Koraput district.
While four of the arrested persons are natives of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, three belonged to Malagaon area, sources said.
While intensifying patrolling, a joint team of police from Machhkund and Lamataput intercepted four youths carrying school bags and moving in a suspicious condition.
A search of their bags led to seizure of more than 20 kg ganja, they said, adding that the four were arrested on charge of peddling drugs. The contraband was hidden in school bags to avoid suspicion.
The four were identified as Ajit and Sonu Ram of Uttar Pradesh and Sandip and Sumit Mishra of Bihar.
Three locals were later arrested on the basis of information obtained during interrogation of the four. They were identified as Mangala Khila and Suku Darli of Malagon and Balram of Andhra Pradesh, sources said.