Berhampur: In a major crackdown, a team of Excise officials busted a cannabis smuggling racket at Khodasingi locality in Ganjam district Saturday morning.
Two persons were arrested in this connection. Cannabis weighing around five quintal was seized from their possession.
According to an official, the two persons have been identified as Mangilal Bhil and his close associate Mangilal Gorona. The accused are history-sheeters involved in ganja smuggling.
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The Excise squad got information from a reliable source that the truck was on its way from Krushnapur village under Patapur police limits of Ganjam to Nagpur in Maharashtra. Swinging into action, the officials intercepted the truck at Khodasingi, the senior official said.
During a thorough search, a huge quantity of cannabis packed in large sacks was recovered from the vehicle. Market price of the seized cannabis is said to be more than Rs 50 lakh.
A case has been registered in this connection and a detailed probe is underway.
PNN