Major Drug Bust in Berhampur
In a significant crackdown on narcotics trafficking, excise officials in Berhampur apprehended a 35-year-old man from Jharkhand for illegally transporting a substantial quantity of ganja. The operation conducted on Sunday led to the seizure of approximately 160 kilograms of the contraband substance.
Details of the Seizure and Arrest
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, excise personnel intercepted a vehicle during routine patrolling in the Berhampur area during morning hours. The officials identified the accused as Manoj Gosai, a resident of Banadag in Ranchi district, Jharkhand.
According to Prabin Kumar Pradhan, Excise Superintendent of Berhampur, the total seizure included 160 kg of ganja, the vehicle used for transportation, and a mobile phone, with the combined value estimated at around ₹22 lakh.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the illicit consignment was being transported from the Chandragiri area in Gajapati district to Ranchi in Jharkhand via Berhampur when the interception occurred.
Ongoing Investigation and Previous Case
Two other individuals accompanying Gosai in the vehicle managed to escape from the scene. Authorities have launched a comprehensive search operation to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Excise Superintendent Pradhan confirmed that investigators are examining the potential involvement of additional persons in this drug trafficking network, indicating a broader probe into the supply chain.
This incident marks the second major ganja seizure in the Berhampur region within a short timeframe. Just two days earlier on Friday, excise department's intelligence and enforcement bureau had confiscated approximately 150 kg of ganja at Gunthubandh near Berhampur, with the contraband valued at around ₹25 lakh.
In that previous case, officials had arrested Kumar Pani, a 21-year-old from Chadiapada near Mohana in Gajapati district, while two other individuals had similarly evaded capture.
The back-to-back significant drug seizures indicate intensified efforts by Odisha's excise department to combat the illegal ganja trade operating through the region.
