Police in Odisha’s Kandhamala district seized 60 kilograms of ganja from a van carrying Kanwariyas on their pilgrimage.
Acting on a tip‑off, Phulbani Sadar police intercepted the vehicle near Barapada and discovered the contraband during a search. Two men from Uttar Pradesh — Mohammad Arbaz Khan of Barabanki district and Karamat Ali of Gonda district — were arrested in connection with the seizure.
According to police, the accused were travelling with Kanwariyas who were on their way to offer water to Lord Shiva. Investigators believe the traffickers attempted to exploit the religious pilgrimage to conceal their illegal cargo.
The police team seized the ganja along with the vehicle and detained the accused. A probe has been launched to identify other members of the smuggling network.
