Mathili police on Sunday arrested nine persons and seized ganja weighing over 546 kg in Malkangiri district,
The police got the tipoff while performing patrolling duty near Pangam area that some people who were approaching towards Kaliguda side were transporting huge loads of ganja.
Soon, the police swung into action and proceeded towards river bank of Pangam near Kaudiguda village and noticed some people were moving towards Gariaguda alongside of the river bank carrying loads on their shoulders.
When the police intercepted them, they tried to escape from the spot. But the police chased them and could apprehend nine persons with the ganja.
A total of 37 polythene bags of ganja were seized from the spot.
On being interrogated, the accused persons disclosed that they were transporting the contraband from Chitrakonda area to Nabarangpur for selling at higher price.
The nine accused were arrested under NDPS Act and the ganja seized weighed 546.945 kg. The police also were searching for the others involved in the case.
Malkangiri SP Jagmohan Meena said the accused and seized articles would be produced before the Court of District Judge Cum Special Judge, Malkangiri, and further investigation was on.