Police on Friday busted an inter-State ganja smuggling racket and arrested four persons in this connection after intercepting a water tanker near Patilbandha Chhack under the Padmapur police station in the district.
Police also seized around 433 kg ganja worth Rs 25 lakh from the water tanker. The cops also seized two motor-cycles, four mobile phones and Rs 23,000 cash from the possession of the accused. The arrestees were identified as Kasi Murgan (32) of Koonichapet village of Puducheri, and Jangaralu Pangeji (37) of Nuagada village, Langi Majhi (31) of Nandra village and P Perumal (57) of Anjipeta village of Rayagada district.
Acting on a tipoff, police conducted a raid and intercepted the vehicle, in which the contraband items were being transported to Tamil Nadu. Police said the four accused used to procure the narcotic items from Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada and Kandhamal districts and transport it same to Tamil Nadu and other States.