The Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha Crime Branch has seized the properties of two ganja smugglers and sent a proposal to the Competent Authority, Kolkata for forfeiture of the assets.
The value of the properties was estimated to be over Rs 3 crore.
The ganja smugglers were identified as Banmali Pradhan and Arun Kumar Pradhan, sons of late Kirtan Pradhan of Raghunathsahi under the Buguda police station in Ganjam district.
Ganja weighing 106 kg and opium of 517 gram were seized from the sibling’s possession on April 29, 2022.
During the investigation of STF PS Case No-10/2022 under Sections 18 (c)/20 (b)(ii)(C)/29 NDPS Act 1985, properties worth over Rs 3 crore acquired by the brother duo out of illegal contraband ganja and opium business have been seized.
Their properties included five commercial buildings located at Buguda, eight landed properties, bank balance in 19 accounts of different banks, two vehicles, gold and silver ornaments weighing 595 grams and 190 grams respectively.
The competent authority, Kolkata, who is a quasi-judicial authority under NDPS Act, has been requested for forfeiture of the illegally acquired property as per the provision of Section 68 (F) NDPS Act, 1985.
Notably, both the brothers were earlier booked in similar cases by the Excise Department.