Bhubaneswar: In a major breakthrough against illicit drug trafficking networks, the Kandhamal Police have arrested a key operative of an inter-state cannabis (ganja) smuggling syndicate from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
The suspect, identified as Rupesh Pradhan (26), was apprehended in a targeted operation, bringing the total number of arrests in the case linked to drug mafia Dillip Kumar Gouda to nine. He had been absconding for a year.
Addressing a press conference, Kandhamal SP Ramendra Prasad said that Pradhan, a resident of Khajurinala village under Balliguda police limits, was managing the syndicate’s financial transactions and logistical operations. Bank accounts and vehicles were registered in his name but allegedly controlled by the network’s kingpin to facilitate the movement of ganja and launder proceeds from the illegal trade.
Of the nine individuals now in custody, six were apprehended in Odisha and the remaining three were nabbed in coordinated operations across Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. They are included Dillip Gouda (29) of Badagouda Sahi of Kabisurya Nagar in Ganjam district, D N Dinesh (28) of Sunapanga, Sunil Mallick (28) of Patamaha, Deepak Kumar Diga (32) Gulimarasahi, Simanchal Biswal (42) of Sunapanga, Mahendra Mallick (29) of Kandhamal district, Ishwar Singh (35) of Salaria in Rajasthan, Dug district, Chunbad R Ojha (50) of Surat in Gujarat.
Many of those arrested reportedly have prior criminal records linked to NDPS cases and organised crime in various states.
In a parallel financial crackdown under the NDPS Act, authorities have seized or frozen assets worth nearly Rs 4 crore belonging to the syndicate members. These include approximately Rs 16 lakh in bank accounts, land and real estate valued at around Rs 2 crore, a fleet of commercial and luxury vehicles used in trafficking, and gold jewellery worth about Rs 30 lakh.
Further investigation is underway to map out potential broader links, money-laundering channels, and downstream associates tied to the regional trafficking network.
