1 held in Ganjam with marijuana worth ₹55L

Berhampur: The Silk City has turned into a major transit point for marijuana with consignments transported illegally to different parts of the state and outside from here. In the last five days alone, the excise department sleuths here seized around 1600kg contraband from the city.
In the latest haul, about 1100kg marijuana worth Rs 55 lakh was seized from an under-construction house near Ankuli early on Saturday.Utham Singh of Adava in Gajapati district was arrested for allegedly stocking the contraband in the house.
Excise officials suspect the accused person would procure the ganja from Gajapati and transport it to other states from here. “Investigation is under way to find out the destination and procurement points of the ganja,” Rajendra Bhotra, excise superintendent (Ganjam), said.
Earlier on January 11, the sleuths had seized around 500kg ganja worth Rs 25 lakh from the first gate area in the city. It was reportedly being transported illegally from Gajapati district to Bihar when the vehicle ferrying it was intercepted.
“Berhampur is widely used to peddle narcotic substances as the city has good communication facilities, including bus and train services,” Bhotra said.
The sources said ganja peddlers from marijuana-growing districts like Kandhamal, Gajapati, Rayagada and Malkangiri supply the contraband to Berhampur. From here, it is smuggled to other places through couriers.
Additional SP (Berhampur) Ramesh Chandra Sethi said they will keep a strict vigil on the peddlers at different points like the railway station, bus stops, etc.