Bhubaneswar: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Nagpur Regional Unit of the Mumbai Zone, on Friday dismantled an inter-state drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Odisha-Central India corridor. In two connected intelligence-based operations, officials seized 1,251 kg of cannabis (ganja) valued at approximately Rs 6.25 crore. Four people, including the alleged mastermind, have been arrested.
In the first operation, DRI officials stopped a Bolero pick-up moving from the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border towards the Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan side along National Highway-53. During the search, officials recovered 53 gunny bags containing 142 packages of ganja weighing 729 kg. The contraband was concealed within the cover cargo of raw ginger packed inside the gunny bags, according to an official statement.
The seized ganja is valued at Rs 3.64 crore. The vehicle and cover cargo were also confiscated under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. Two individuals were arrested in connection with the case. One of them is reportedly the mastermind who had been absconding for a long time in an earlier case.
Earlier, in another operation linked to the Odisha route, DRI officers intercepted a truck at Bhagimahari Toll Plaza on National Highway-47 after it travelled from the Odisha border. The search led to the recovery of 100 packages of ganja weighing 522 kg. The contraband was hidden beneath cover cargo consisting of coolers, table fans, and blankets.
The seized ganja in this case was valued at Rs 2.61 crore. The vehicle and cover cargo were confiscated, and two individuals were arrested.
The back-to-back operations highlight DRI’s continued action against organised narcotics trafficking networks operating through the Odisha corridor. The agency said the seizures reaffirm its commitment to combating drug trafficking and supporting the Government of India’s vision of a “Nasha Mukt Bharat.”
