Bhubaneswar: In a major success in the fight against narcotics trafficking, the Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch has arrested the alleged kingpin of an interstate cannabis syndicate along with three associates following a month-long intelligence-driven operation across Boudh, Kandhamala and Sonpur districts.
The accused were identified as Durbasa Sahu (46) of Tikirapada, Boudh, identified as the kingpin; Subudhi Sahu (40) of Badachhapapali, Boudh; Arun Kumar Rana (34) of Tikirapada; and Prakash Khatua (35) of Badachhapapali.
Police said all four were intercepted on Friday on the Nayagad–Khordha National Highway near Pichukuli while traveling in a car towards West Bengal for a major cannabis deal.
The arrests come after STF’s ‘Operation Green Clean’ seized 190 kilograms of cannabis from a cashew plantation near Athagda, Cuttack, on June 24, 2026. Investigation into that seizure revealed an unusual identification method: the delivery agent carried a torn Rs 10 note, and the contraband was to be handed over only to a person with the matching half. The first half of the torn note was recovered then.
Despite the seizure, kingpin Durbasa Sahu had evaded arrest. Acting on specific intelligence on June 26 morning, multiple STF teams were activated. One team kept discreet surveillance from Boudh while another moved from Bhubaneswar to intercept the suspects. The vehicle was stopped near Pichukuli and all four were apprehended without escape.
During the operation, STF seized the vehicle, seven mobile phones, Rs 38,000 in cash, one gold chain, two torn Rs 10 notes — one matching the note seized earlier from accused Nilambara Kanhara — and other incriminating articles.
Preliminary investigation indicates Durbasa Sahu was heading an organised interstate cannabis trafficking syndicate operating from Odisha with supply networks in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and West Bengal.
All four accused have previous criminal antecedents in NDPS cases. Except Durbasa, the other three were earlier arrested in similar cases. Subudhi Sahu faces multiple cases, including STF Case No 8/15 and 12/26 under the NDPS Act.
Arun Kumar Rana and Prakash Khatua are accused in Gochhapada PS Case and Kantamal PS Case respectively. Durbasa Sahu was one of the most wanted narcotics traffickers pursued by STF. His arrest is expected to reveal backward and forward linkages of the interstate network, including financiers, transporters and receivers.
STF said a financial investigation will be carried out and provisions of PIT NDPS will be invoked against habitual offenders. The accused will be produced before the jurisdictional magistrate today in connection with STF Case, under Sections 20(b)(ii)(c) and 29 of the NDPS Act.
STF will seek seven days’ police remand for custodial interrogation to trace the money trail and dismantle the network. Further investigation is underway and more arrests and seizures are likely, STF officials said.
