Tarbha Police arrested three accused and seized 106.972 kg of ganja during a patrol operation. Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by IIC Dolamani Naik and ASI Bibhu Baral intercepted a Bolero vehicle (OD03S1650) near Badmal road.
The vehicle attempted to flee but was stopped and searched in the presence of Magistrate Diptimayee Bhue.
Police recovered 105 packets of 500 grams each and 54 packets of 1 kg each, packed into six jute bags. The contraband, valued at nearly Rs 5 lakh, was being transported from Kandhamal to Bihar via Balangir.
The arrested accused were identified as Bablu Choudhury (42) of Bhojpur district, Bihar; Lalan Choudhury (30) of Narainagarh village, Bhojpur district, Bihar; and Sudarshan Rajhans (25) of Baradi Padar village, Kandhamal district, Odisha. Police also seized the Bolero vehicle, two mobile phones, ₹8,460 cash, and other materials linked to the smuggling.
During interrogation, the accused admitted they were smuggling ganja to Bihar. Tarbha Police registered Case No. 154/07.05.2026 under Sections 20(b)(ii)(C)/29 of the NDPS Act. SI Prasanjit Behera has been assigned to investigate further.
The accused were produced in court today. Police said more investigation will trace the wider network involved in the illegal trade.
