In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, police arrested eight individuals involved in ganja smuggling and seized over 340 kilograms of contraband, firearms, cash, and vehicles in the Jeypore Sadar police limits on Tuesday. The arrested suspects have been identified as Kartik Bagh (36), Rabindra Barik (35), Ranjit Bagh (45), Goutam Bagh (28), Rabindra Samal (36), Karna Harijan (38), Sonu Mangaria (29), and Rahul Kumar (32), according to police.
The arrests followed a routine police operation where four vehicles were intercepted near Kanjei Maliguda, a suspected hotspot for illegal activity. When the vehicles were stopped, the suspects attempted to flee and even fired two rounds at the officers. However, the police swiftly apprehended all eight individuals.
Koraput SP Rohit Verma reported that during the search, police discovered over 340 kg of ganja, four vehicles, 10 mobile phones, two country-made pistols with five rounds of ammunition, and Rs 795 in cash. The arrested individuals are known history-sheeters with long criminal backgrounds.
Ranjit Bagh, one of the accused, is a notorious figure in the region, with a criminal record that includes involvement in ganja trafficking, extortion, robbery, and theft, with at least 22 cases registered against him across Koraput, Malkangiri, and Andhra Pradesh. Kartik Bagh, another key member, has been implicated in 20 criminal cases.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to uncover the full extent of the gang’s network and activities.
