162 Kg Ganja Seized from Car in Kalahandi, One Arrested with Minor

Excise officials in Kalahandi seized 162 kg of ganja and arrested a youth with a minor during a raid near Rajamunda on NH-59.

Acting on the directives of Kalahandi Excise Superintendent Ranjan Kumar Naik, a team led by Deputy Superintendent Sagarika Pradhan intercepted a white Maruti Suzuki car on National Highway 59 near Rajamunda under M. Rampur block.

During the raid, excise inspector Vijay Bhushan Nayak, along with M. Rampur excise officer Ajit Kumar Nayak and staff, seized 162 kilograms of ganja being smuggled from Kandhamal district to Balangir. The officials also confiscated two smartphones used in the operation.

The car, bearing registration number OR-02-AW-9881 (original number CG-04-HA-2811), was driven by Bapi Pradhan (26), accompanied by a minor. Both were arrested under NDPS Act case number 124/26-27.

Excise sources revealed that the arrested youth hails from the jurisdiction of Phiringia police station in Kandhamal. The raid team included officers Baleswar Dhangadamajhi, Simanchal Majhi, Binata Kumar, Duleswar Pradhan, Daitari Tandi, Pruthviraj Bag, and Siddhant Pattanayak.

Authorities confirmed that the contraband was intended for illegal transport to Balangir.