Police seized 106 kilograms of ganja late Sunday night on the Deogarh–Riamal road. The contraband was being smuggled in a Scorpio vehicle when the traffickers attempted to flee after ramming into a police van.
According to sources, the vehicle (WB 36F 9207) was transporting ganja from Naktideul in Sambalpur district. Acting on a tip-off, Riamal police chased the Scorpio as it headed towards Deogarh, while Deogarh police set up a blockade near Chikinighati Durga Mandir.
The smugglers rammed the police PCR van and tried to escape. However, near Mohinipur village, the Scorpio’s tyre burst, forcing the traffickers to abandon the vehicle and flee.
Deogarh police officer Sabyasachi Satapathy reached the spot and seized the vehicle loaded with ganja. The total recovery amounted to 106 kg.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the Scorpio carried a fake number plate, raising suspicions of a larger smuggling network. Police have launched a manhunt to trace the absconding traffickers.
