15 Tonnes of Ganja Seized in Major Boudh Crackdown; Four Arrested
Boudh: In one of the largest anti-narcotics operations in the region, Boudh Police have seized more than 15 tonnes (15,040 kg) of ganja and arrested four persons during a series of coordinated raids carried out across the district over the past few days.
The operations were conducted under the supervision of Boudh Superintendent of Police Rahul Goel and led to the registration of 10 separate cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
According to police sources, the crackdown began on January 31. In Boudh PS Case No. 54, a police team intercepted a truck near Jagdishpur Chhaka and seized 62 kg of ganja. Two accused were arrested in the case, and the vehicle bearing registration number JH-10-D-7627 was also taken into custody.
In another major operation on the same day, 3,630 kg of ganja was recovered from the Sunajhari forest area under Boudh PS Case No. 56. Meanwhile, 320 kg was seized near the Balamtumba forest under Kantamal PS Case No. 34.
Further seizures on January 31 included 110 kg of ganja near Pandrapita village under Ghantapada PS Case No. 26, and 2,150 kg recovered in Manamunda PS Case No. 47.
The drive continued into February. On February 2, police seized 496 kg of ganja along with a Tata pick-up vehicle near Baghiapada under Boudh PS Case No. 58, leading to the arrest of one person. In Kantamal PS Case No. 36, 86 kg of ganja and two motorcycles were seized, and another accused was apprehended. In Baunsuni PS Case No. 18, police recovered 100 kg of ganja and seized an Innova car.
On February 4, police intensified forest combing operations and recovered 3,000 kg of ganja near Nuapada Dam under Boudh PS Case No. 60, and a massive 5,000 kg near the Sagada OP forest area under Manamunda PS Case No. 52.
All cases have been registered under Section 20(b)(ii)(C) of the NDPS Act. Police said investigations are underway to trace the source of the contraband and dismantle the wider narcotics network operating in and around Boudh district.
