In an inter-district contraband smuggling case, the Excise Department intercepted a private bus near the Superintendent of Police (SP) office in Balangir on Saturday and seized 62 kilograms of ganja hidden within the vehicle’s luggage compartment.
According to officials, the private bus had arrived in Balangir from Baliguda in Kandhamal district around 12 noon. The operation was launched following leads obtained during the interrogation of a suspect earlier detained by the excise department for transporting contraband on a scooter.
Acting on the intelligence, excise officials intercepted the bus right in front of the local SP’s office. Upon searching the bus luggage compartment, officers recovered two sacks filled with ganja. The bus conductor and helper were initially detained for questioning.
The contraband was subsequently weighed and documented in the presence of an appointed magistrate, totalling exactly 62 kg. Investigations revealed that the consignment was loaded in Baliguda and intended for transit through Bolangir to destinations outside the state.
The Excise Department has registered three separate cases in connection with the smuggling operation and arrested four individuals. The accused have been identified as Banchhanidhi Behera (62), Bideshini Behera (56) from Nuagaon, Kandhamal, Akash Dandia (18) from Sarangada, Kandhamal, and Omkar Chhatria (18) from Malgodam Pada, Balangir.
The cases have been registered under Balangir Mobile Unit (Case Nos. 84/2026-27 and 114/2026-27) and Sadar Range (Case No. 49/2026-27). All four accused were produced before the court following their arrest.
