In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking in Odisha, the Excise Department successfully intercepted a pickup vehicle carrying a large quantity of cannabis in Jajpur district. The operation took place on the Kuakhia–Panikoili road, following specific intelligence about a smuggling attempt. Officials seized approximately 1 quintal and 60 kilograms of ganja, which was being transported from Boudh to West Bengal.
According to authorities, the smugglers had attempted to disguise the contraband as consignments of water bottles to avoid detection. However, the alert excise team stopped the vehicle for a thorough inspection and uncovered the hidden stash. Two individuals involved in the operation were arrested on the spot, and the pickup truck used for transporting the drugs was also confiscated.
Excise Inspector Narayan Behera stated, “We received specific inputs regarding a ganja smuggling attempt in Jajpur and acted immediately. The vehicle, which was heading towards Balasore, was intercepted midway, preventing the illegal transport of around 1.5 quintals of cannabis worth approximately Rs 16 lakh in the black market.”
The authorities emphasized that the seizure not only stopped the smuggling attempt but also highlighted the growing vigilance of law enforcement in tackling drug trafficking. A detailed investigation is now underway to trace the source of the contraband, identify other members of the smuggling network, and determine the final destination of the seized cannabis. The successful operation has been hailed as a major step in curbing narcotics trafficking in the region.
