Bhubaneswar, Apr 28: Odisha police made a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking, when they intercepted a truck allegedly carrying over five quintals of cannabis in a secret chamber.

The Special Crime Unit and Khandagiri Police, acting on a tip-off, tried to intercept a truck (registration number AP 30 X 3499). But the truck driver along with the helper tried to flee after parking their vehicle near Kharavel Park. However, they were nabbed.

During the investigation, the police discovered that the cannabis was packed in five-kilogram packets and being transported from Phulbani to Himachal Pradesh via Bhubaneswar.

The arrested, identified as Maheshwar Malik from Phulbani and Mandeep Singh from Amritsar, Punjab, confessed to their involvement. Mandeep Singh, the truck driver, and Maheshwar Malik had reportedly been paid Rs 2000 for the illicit transport.

Authorities are now probing deeper into the suspected syndicate behind this operation, as questions arise about the scale of the trafficking and how the local police missed prior activities in the region.

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