KORAPUT: Continuing its crackdown on ganja trade, a team of Jeypore Sadar police station seized 1,277 kg of ganja worth Rs 1.10 crore and arrested two persons belonging to Punjab on charges of smuggling the contraband on Friday night.
The arrested duo were identified as Lakhwinder Singh (43), the buyer and driver of the vehicle Jaspal (43).
“Carrying oxygen cylinders from Visakhapatnam port in Andhra Pradesh, the vehicle was on its way to Lucknow.
It was intercepted at the Jeypore Ghat Road.
While frisking the truck, ganja was found packed in polythene bags and stacked behind the oxygen cylinders,” said Aditya Mahakur, OIC of Jeypore Sadar police station.
“The vehicle used in transporting ganja and two cellphones have been seized.
Efforts are on to unravel the local suppliers and others involved in the racket,” said Mahakur.
On Tuesday, Jeypore Sadar police seized ganja worth Rs 1.10 crore and arrested two persons while the contraband was being smuggled to Lucknow.
Police arrested six persons, including a home guard posted at Kotpad police station, on Tuesday for smuggling 438 kg of ganja worth Rs 50 lakh on Friday.
Police said the drive to contain ganja smuggling will be intensified.
“We have adopted zero tolerance towards ganja smuggling and anyone involved in the illegal trade will not be spared.
Efforts are on to trace the original buyers and suppliers,” said DIG (south-western range) Rajesh Pandit.