In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, police in Koraput have seized ₹10 crore worth of cannabis that was being smuggled under the guise of transporting neem saplings.
The massive haul was intercepted near Padua, following a targeted operation led by law enforcement.
Acting on intelligence inputs, Koraput Superintendent of Police directed a special operation under the leadership of Nandapur SDPO. Police set up a road blockade in Padua, where a Rajasthan-registered truck was flagged down for inspection. Upon examination, authorities discovered around 1 ton of high-quality cannabis discreetly stored in a hidden compartment inside the truck’s cargo area.
While one suspect has been arrested, another managed to escape, evading police efforts. The arrested individual, identified as Devi Singh from Bhilwara district in Rajasthan, was reportedly driving the truck. Law enforcement officials are now pursuing leads to trace the larger smuggling network involved in this illegal trade.
According to police sources, the cannabis was being trafficked from Budi village in Koraput to Rajasthan, underscoring concerns about Odisha’s role as a transit point for drug distribution. The NDPS Act has been invoked, and further investigations are underway to expose the syndicate responsible for the trafficking operation.
