Four from Odisha held in UP for smuggling cannabis

Bhubaneswar: A total of four persons from Odisha were arrested for allegedly smuggling cannabis to Uttar Pradesh’s Bhadohi district, police officials said today.

Also, over 14 quintals of cannabis worth Rs 1.52 crore and a bus bearing registration number of Andhra Pradesh were seized by the police from the possession of the four persons.

Those arrested have been identified as driver Shyam Sundar, Manohar Sona, Sadhu Kumar and Diwakar Bahera. All of them are natives of Malkangiri district.

Acting on inputs from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the Kotwali Police and district unit of the crime branch seized the cannabis around 10:30 pm on Saturday.

The consignment was supposed to be delivered in Azamgarh district in eastern Uttar Pradesh, police said.

“They had picked up the cannabis from Odisha and it was meant to be delivered in Azamgarh. The accused do not know the specific person to whom it was to be delivered,” Additional Superintendent of Police, Bhadohi, Ravindra Kumar Verma said.

The cannabis was stocked in 47 sacks, each further containing six packets, he said.

The bus driver told the police that they were working for an Andhra Pradesh-based man K Raju. They were told to reach Azamgarh and then call him up after which he would have told them the exact place and person for delivery, police said.

The bus, which is worth over Rs 50 lakh, has been impounded and it belongs to their handler K Raju, they added.

On the mode of transport opted by the drug traffickers, the officer said they chose the bus in order to avoid suspicion considered such vehicles are chiefly used for tourists and passenger services.

“Smaller vehicles and cars usually come under police radar at police check posts,” he added.
Verma said further probe is underway to unearth the drug trafficking network.

A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act at a local police in Bhadohi.

(With agency inputs)