In a major success, police on Saturday seized nearly 13 quintals of ganja worth Rs 2 crore from two different places in Koraput district.
Reports said eight quintals of ganja packed in 27 sacks was seized from an under-construction house at Hanumal village under the Machakund police station in the district.
Similarly, a mini truck was intercepted by cops at Debata Chhak under the Padua PS in the district at late night while they were patrolling in the area. During search, around five quintals of ganja was recovered from the vehicle. Occupants of the truck which was on its way to Andhra Pradesh managed to escape taking advantage of the darkness. In another incident, a businessman was arrested in Balangir district over his alleged involvement in ganja smuggling on Saturday.The accused was identified as Niranjan Kedia (45) of Tusura in the district. He owns three rice mills in Balangir and Kalahandi districts and one stone crusher unit. Police said Kedia, who also I involved in inter-State transportation, had conspired with one Sunil Kumar Singh of Dangosorda under the Muniguda PS and others in procuring huge quantity of cannabis from Dangosorda area.The contraband was being hidden in a rice husk laden truck and illegally transported to Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh.
Police intercepted the vehicle on State Highway near Kutragada and arrested six persons including Sunil Kumar Singh. During investigation, Kedia’s involvement in the offence came to fore and he was nabbed from Balangir.