Paralakhemundi,(Tarini Prasad Panda): In a determined crackdown against illegal narcotics trafficking, the Gajapati Police carried out a series of raids across different areas of Gajapati district and seized ganja worth more than Rs75 lakh that was allegedly stockpiled for smuggling outside the state. According to official sources, acting on reliable intelligence about ganja being secretly stored in a forest near Chandrapur village under Guluba Panchayat of Adaba Police Station, police launched a swift operation in the area. During the raid, officers recovered 2 quintals and 51 kg 500 grams of ganja concealed in the nearby forest.
However, the smugglers fled the spot after noticing the arrival of the police. The seized contraband is estimated to be worth around Rs25 lakh, informed Adaba IIC Shubhranta Panda. A case has been registered and investigation is underway.
In another operation, police from R. Udayagiri Police Station conducted a raid in Burusahi village under Sambalpur Panchayat following reports that large quantities of ganja were being stored in several houses. During the search of three houses in the village, the police seized 4 quintals and 55 kg of ganja. The house owners reportedly absconded before the police could apprehend them. The estimated value of the ganja recovered from these houses is about Rs50 lakh, police officials said. Separate cases have been registered and further investigation is in progress to trace the culprits and dismantle the smuggling network.
