Argus News - Breaking News: Berhampur Excise Raid Nets Ganja Worth ₹70 Lakh, Five Held

Berhampur, Mar 12: Berhampur witnessed a significant crackdown on illegal narcotics when the Excise Intelligence & Enforcement Bureau (EI&EB) team carried out a raid along National Highway-16 near Sorala Junction and Kanisi area early Thursday morning.

The operation led to the seizure of 111 kilograms of ganja, valued at approximately ₹70 lakh, and the arrest of five individuals involved in the smuggling network.

According to officials, the raid was conducted around 4 am during routine checks by the Berhampur EI&EB team. The contraband was being transported in a Tamil Nadu-registered Tata Eicher container, accompanied by two Odisha-registered Maruti Dzire cars and a Hero Glamour bike. Authorities also confiscated five mobile phones believed to have been used in coordinating the smuggling activities.

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Preliminary investigations suggest that the ganja consignment originated from Gajapati district and was intended to be trafficked to Tamil Nadu. This highlights the growing trend of interstate smuggling routes that pass through Odisha, making the state a critical transit point for narcotics movement.

Officials confirmed that the arrested individuals are being interrogated to uncover the broader network behind the operation. The Excise Department has intensified surveillance along NH-16 and other strategic routes to curb the rising menace of ganja trafficking.

The department emphasized its commitment to dismantling organized smuggling syndicates and preventing the spread of narcotics across state borders.

The seizure marks one of the largest recent hauls in southern Odisha, underscoring the vigilance of enforcement agencies in tackling drug-related crimes. Authorities stated that further investigations are underway to trace the masterminds and financiers behind the smuggling racket.