1243 kg ganja worth 1.2 crore seized in Koraput, two held

KORAPUT: Tightening the noose around the flourishing illegal ganja trade, a team from Jeypore Sadar police station seized 1,243 kg of the contraband worth Rs 1.2 crore and arrested two persons with a pistol on charges of smuggling the banned drug on Friday night.
Police sources said after a tip-off the raid was conducted near Brahmaninagaon village around 6.30 pm.
The ganja was loaded in a pick-up van and around 12 to 14 people were present at the spot.
“While we managed to arrest only two persons, others escaped under the cover of darkness,” said Aditya Mahakur, officer-in-charge of Jeypore Sadar police station, who led the team.
Police are yet to ascertain from where the ganja was procured. “The ganja would have been transported to other areas of the state and outside in small vehicles. The kingpin managed to escape and the arrested duo have little knowledge about the consignment. We are trying to nab others involved in the smuggling racket,” said Mahakur.
The arrested duo has been identified as Pradeep Pradhan (28) and Abhinash Maharana (23), said police. Apart from the ganja, police seized the pick-up van used in transporting ganja, two motorcycles and four mobile phones from the crime spot.
In less than four weeks, Jeypore Sadar police have seized ganja worth over Rs 2 crore while being transported in the district.