R. Udayagiri: Despite a strong drive by the local police to stop ganja (cannabis) smuggling, it has been spreading its tentacles to various areas of R. Udayagiri in Ganjam district.
The R. Udayagiri police seized more than 18 kg of ganja that was being transported in a car and took five persons into custody in between Mahendragad and Chheligad in the district Saturday night. Police also seized the car without number plate that was used in the illegal operation.
According to the police, the arrested have been identified as Dinabandhu Kumar, Amit Kumar Rai, Ramesh Kumar, Nitish Kumar and Prabhu Kumar, all residents of Patna district in Bihar.
Acting on a tip-off, a special police party intercepted the car in which they were travelling. Seeing the police, the accused tried to flee, but were nabbed.
Police said the contraband was procured from R. Udayagiri and the accused were transporting it to Patna district. Police have registered a case in the name of the accused in R. Udayagiri police station.
SI Prafulla Kumar Pradhan said that the accused were produced before the court Sunday.
Notably, Superintendent of Excise Department Sara Sharma seized ganja and liquor worth lakhs of rupees from R. Udayagiri area one month back.
PNN