1 Quintal 58 Kg Ganja Seized in Koraput; Three Arrested

Koraput: In a major crackdown on ganja smuggling, Baipariguda Police seized 1 quintal and 58 kilograms of cannabis that was being transported in a vegetable-laden vehicle at Kurulgad Square under Baipariguda block on Saturday.

Acting on a tip-off, Officer-in-Charge Dambarudhar Batria of Baipariguda police station directed Sub-Inspector Dhirendra Barik to form a special team. The team intercepted a mini truck and, upon thorough inspection, recovered the contraband hidden among sacks of vegetables.

Police arrested three accused — Raju Mandal from Raighar area in Nabarangpur district, and Krishna Singh and Hritik Chauhan from Uttar Pradesh.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the ganja was being smuggled from Balimela in Malkangiri district to Uttar Pradesh, passing through Kudumulugumma and Baipariguda.

The seized ganja and vehicle have been taken into custody, and a case has been registered under the NDPS Act at Baipariguda police station. The accused were produced in court.

Police sources said the operation was part of an intensified drive against interstate narcotics trafficking networks operating along the Koraput–Malkangiri corridor.