In a major breakthrough against drug trafficking, the Khordha Police intercepted a massive ganja smuggling operation on Tuesday, seizing 929 kilograms of cannabis being transported in a pickup truck on National Highway 16.
The accused have been identified as:
Basant Patra (27) from Baunsagadia village, Nayagarh district
Jitu Nayak (31) from Jhalsahi village, Gajapati district
The duo was en route from Adaba in Gajapati district to Puri, using a pickup truck (OR 07 Q 1856) when they were stopped at a checkpoint set up by Tangi Police at Chandaneswar Flyover Bridge based on a tip-off received at 8 AM.
Upon a thorough search of the vehicle, police discovered 34 bags packed with ganja. 33 bags contained 28 kg each, and one had 5 kg, totaling 929 kg of the banned substance.
According to police officials, the contraband was sourced from Gajapati and was intended for delivery in Puri. The vehicle and drugs have been seized, and a case has been registered. Authorities are continuing investigations to uncover the broader smuggling network involved in this operation.
This seizure is one of the largest drug busts in the region in recent months.
