Sambalpur: 1.96 KG of Ganja Seized, Smuggling Attempted While Coming for Work
- 3 Arrested in Two Cases
- Smuggling Route: Phulbani to Sambalpur
- Smuggling Increases Post-Elections: Excise Department
Major Ganja Seizure in Sambalpur
Sambalpur: The Sambalpur Excise Department seized ganja during a vehicle check. The Rengali Excise Station was conducting vehicle checks at Bijju Express Play in Juripada Chowk, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Rengali Police Station. During this time, a white vehicle bearing the registration number SH-01-BD-6065 arrived. Four white jute bags containing 76 kg of ganja were discovered inside the car during an inspection. Aman Pandey (24) from Uttar Pradesh was arrested and taken to court. Aman had been living in the area for a long time, doing pipe repairs. He was found with ganja on his way to his home in Uttar Pradesh. Aman had been working in this area for a long time, purchasing ganja from traders in Phulbani. The police seized ganja, a car, and a mobile phone from the accused, with a total value of around 9.60 lakhs.
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Phulbani to Bihar Smuggling Route Uncovered
Similarly, the Sambalpur Excise Station-1 conducted a check near Bhalupali Chowk, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ainthapali Police Station. During this time, a white car bearing the registration number JH-01-BR-3552 was discovered to be transporting marijuana. Three people were arrested in this case. The accused are Bihar residents Chandan Kumar (43) and Shankar Chaudhary (40). They were moving ganja from Phulbani to Bihar. The police seized the ganja, the car, and two mobile phones, estimating a total value of around 12 lakhs.
Increased Smuggling Activities Post-Elections
During this year’s April election, police maintained strict surveillance at all district entry points. This effectively ended ganja smuggling to other states, and traders stopped selling it. They were keeping the stock in storage. After the elections, with regulations relaxed, all mafia groups became active, according to an Excise Department officer.