The Hinjilikatu police intercepted a private passenger bus on Saturday evening and seized 8.900 kilograms of cannabis (ganja). Three youths involved in the illicit racket were arrested on the spot.
Raid at Bus Terminal
Acting on reliable intelligence regarding ganja being smuggled aboard a Berhampur-bound private bus (OD-07S-7979) coming from Surada, a specialised police team—led by Asika SDPO Saurabh Ranjan Pradhan and Hinjilikatu IIC Srinibas Sethi—swung into action. The team intercepted the vehicle within the Hinjilikatu Bus Terminal premises and conducted a thorough search.
During the search, officers recovered two air bags densely packed with cannabis and detained three suspects. The arrested individuals have been identified as Chitrasen Naik (21), Mangala Naik (30), and Biranchi Naik (31), all residents of Saranuati village under the Surada police jurisdiction.
Inter-State Smuggling Link Uncovered
Preliminary investigations revealed that the contraband was sourced from Kandhamal district. The syndicate planned to reach Berhampur by bus and subsequently board a train to transport the consignment to outer states.
Key Seizures & Charges:
Contraband: 8.900 kg cannabis (weighed in the presence of Magistrate-in-charge / Additional Tehsildar Suraj Kumar Nayak Behera)
Property: 3 mobile phones confiscated
Case Registration: Case No. 745/26 registered at Hinjilikatu Police Station
Ongoing Investigation
Investigating Officer and Sub-Inspector Rashmiranjan Samal confirmed that the three accused were produced before the court on Sunday.
“We suspect the involvement of several other individuals in this well-organized smuggling network. Further investigation is actively underway to trace both the origin and final destination of the racket,” stated Hinjilikatu Police Station IIC Srinibas Sethi.
