Gajapati Police Seize Over 4 Tonnes of Ganja in Major Drug Bust
In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, Gajapati police on Friday seized approximately 4.06 tonnes of ganja, valued at around Rs 4 crore, from Keshariguda village under the Adava police station limits. This seizure marks the largest drug haul in the region in recent times, according to police sources.
Massive Raid Conducted Based on Tip-Off
Acting on a credible tip-off, police launched extensive raids in the village early in the morning, involving 100 personnel. The operation was led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Rakesh Sahoo from R. Udayagiri. The contraband was discovered stored in various locations within the village, including residential houses and cow-sheds, packed in plastic jerry bags.
Police suspect the ganja was being prepared for illegal transportation to other areas within the state and beyond. Superintendent of Police (Gajapati) Jatindra Panda confirmed that a total of 202 ganja-packed jerry bags were recovered during the search.
No Arrests Made as Suspects Flee
Despite the large-scale operation, no arrests were made in connection with the seizure. The SDPO reported that the accused individuals, including the alleged mastermind, escaped into the nearby forest upon spotting the police vehicles. A case has been registered under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act against unknown persons at the Adava police station, and a manhunt is underway to apprehend the suspects.
Second Major Haul in a Week
This incident represents the second significant ganja seizure in the district within a week. On March 20, police confiscated around 700 kg of ganja worth Rs 70 lakh from Rajapur village, also without any arrests. The consecutive busts highlight ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat drug trafficking in the area.
The police have intensified their search operations to track down the fleeing accused and prevent further illegal activities.
