Odisha’s Special Task Force (STF) achieved a major success under Operation Green Clean by arresting the alleged kingpin of an interstate cannabis trafficking syndicate after a month-long intelligence-driven operation across Boudh, Kandhamal, and Sonpur districts.
Acting on specific intelligence, STF teams intercepted a Maruti Grand Vitara (OD-33-AT-6201) on the Nayagarh–Khurda National Highway near Pichukuli. Officers arrested four accused — Durbasa Sahu (46), Subudhi Sahu (40), Arun Kumar Rana (34), and Prakash Khatua (35) — all from Boudh district.
The STF seized the vehicle, seven mobile phones, ₹38,000 in cash, a gold chain, and two torn ₹10 notes used as secret identification tokens for cannabis delivery. Investigators revealed that the syndicate used the matching halves of torn currency notes to verify identities and avoid detection.
Earlier, on June 24, STF seized 190 kilograms of cannabis from a cashew plantation near Athagarh in Cuttack district. Despite that major bust, the kingpin had evaded arrest until June 26.
Preliminary investigation confirmed that Durbasa Sahu headed a network operating across Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and West Bengal. All four accused have prior cases under the NDPS Act. STF will seek seven days of police remand for custodial interrogation to trace financiers, transporters, and receivers.
The STF cannabis trafficking arrest marks a decisive blow to organised narcotics networks in eastern India.
