Raikia, Kandhamal (Odisha): In a significant drug bust, police arrested two individuals, including a bus driver, for allegedly smuggling over 20 kg of ganja by concealing it inside cabbage-filled bags on a passenger bus near Raikia on Wednesday afternoon.
The arrested accused have been identified as:
Kalia Barik (45) – Resident of Raja Sunakhala, Nayagarh district
Nihar Ranjan Mohapatra (35) – Resident of Raikia
According to Ashutosh Paikaray, IIC of Raikia Police Station, the operation was carried out based on a tip-off. A Bhubaneswar-bound passenger bus was intercepted, and during the search, ganja packets worth over Rs1 lakh were found carefully hidden beneath vegetables.
“The ganja was packed in small bundles and placed under cabbage in an attempt to avoid detection,” said IIC Paikaray.
The main accused, who is believed to be the primary transporter of the contraband, is currently absconding. A manhunt has been launched to track his whereabouts.
