Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force seized 148 kg of ganja on NH-16 in Bhubaneswar and arrested three persons in this connection.
The smugglers have been identified as
1. Mahendra Pal (48) of DheramMandariya village, under Richola post office, Pilibhit district in Uttar Pradesh
2. Arun Mahto (38) of Sitarampur village, under Natihani police station, Begusarai district in Bihar.
3. Sunny Kumar (20) of Pilibhit village under Gezrawala police station, Pilbhit district in Uttar
Pradesh
Based on intelligence input, a raid was conducted by a team of STF, BBSR on NH-16 Bhubaneswar, Khordha on 04.03.2024 early morning against illegal transportation of Narcotic Drugs to Uttar Pradesh &Bihar and intercepted one TATA Truck loaded with ganja cleverly concealed inside stock of Batteries and also apprehended three accused persons.
During the search contraband ganja weighing 148 kg was found kept concealed in the said battery-loaded truck. The TATA Truck along with the contraband Ganja was seized from their possession.
The accused persons could not produce any valid authority in support of transportation of such contraband materials, for which the accused persons were arrested and are being forwarded to the court of District & Sessions cum Spl. Judge, Khordha at Bhubaneswar.
In this connection, STF PS Case No.12 dated 04.03.2024 U/s 20 (b)(ii)(C)/25/29 of NDPS Act 1985 was registered.
During the investigation so far, it is learnt thata few days back the accused persons loaded a consignment (battery) at Vijaynagaram, AP to be delivered in Patna, Bihar.
While returning they halted near Girisola, Berhampur on NH16 and waited for the direction of their mastermind. The said mastermind who was also present at Berhampur (but not travelling in the truck)
had procured the contraband Ganja from the Ganja peddlers of Ganjam- Gajapati bordering area.
The mastermind then travelled by train and remained in continuous touch with persons in the truck. They changed the phone and SIM numbers after Berhampur.
The mastermind who has been absconding in the West Bengal area has been identified. The team of STF is tracking him and will be arrested soon. The accused also disclosed that because of the liquor ban in Bihar, the demand for Ganja has gone up considerably.
Further investigation in this case is underway.
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