Phulbani: The Excise department personnel have seized around 1.25 quintals of cannabis from an SUV and arrested three smugglers at Sadhan Chhak in Phulbani town of Kandhamal district on Saturday.
Acting on a tip-off, the Excise sleuths intercepted a Mahindra Bolero car (OD-12-2467) at Sadhan Chhak in Phulbani town. Upon search, the cops seized cannabis stashed in gunny bags and immediately apprehended the three persons involved in smuggling the contraband.
Police have arrested the car driver, Shyana Ranjan Pradhan of Baliguda’s Bangomunda, Ranjan Diggal of Phiringia’s Nahana village and Sarat Kanhar of Phiringia’s Bengasipadar village in this regard.
During preliminary investigation, it was ascertained that the consignment was being smuggled to Bhubaneswar, said an Excise Officer. He added that a case has been registered into this and further probe is underway to trace the source and the destination of the smuggling.