Berhampur: Police on Tuesday arrested three persons from Uttar Pradesh for allegedly transporting ganja illegally near Sitapadi on National Highway 59 under Kandhamal district’s Baliguda police station limits. Around 23 kg of ganja was seized along with the car in which the contraband was being transported illegally, and the total estimate was pegged at around Rs 7 lakh, police said.
Subham Bhosale, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Baliguda, said a police team was patrolling the area when they detained the vehicle. A search yielded a packet containing 23 kg of ganja in the vehicle, which was subsequently seized. Preliminary inquiry has revealed that the accused illegally transported the ganja from Kandhamal district to Uttar Pradesh. The accused were identified as Papu Rastogi, Aachhel Lal Saroj, and Sandip Kumar Prajapati, residents of different villages in Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur district, he said. Further inquiry is on to ascertain the sources of the contraband, police added.
Details of the Seizure
The incident occurred during a routine patrol by the Baliguda police team. The officers noticed a suspicious vehicle and signaled it to stop. Upon searching the car, they discovered the ganja carefully concealed. The estimated market value of the seized contraband is approximately Rs 7 lakh. The police have registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Accused and Investigation
The three accused are all residents of Mirzapur district in Uttar Pradesh. They were transporting the ganja from Kandhamal, a region known for its dense forests and often used for illicit cultivation. The police are investigating the network behind this operation, including the suppliers and possible buyers. The accused have been taken into custody and will be produced before the court.
This seizure is part of ongoing efforts by Odisha police to curb drug trafficking in the state. Kandhamal district, in particular, has been a focus area due to its geographical terrain that aids illegal activities. The police have urged the public to provide any information regarding drug-related crimes.
