Balangir:  In a major crackdown on illegal trade of cannabis,  Balangir police today seized 1 quintal banned contraband from an SUV here in the district.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of police intercepted the SUV (Bolero) in which the ganja was being transported, for around 3 km. They succeeded to catch the vehicle near a bus stand.

However, the accused driver and his associate managed to flee from the spot leaving the vehicle behind.

A case has been registered against the vehicle and investigation is underway to ascertain from where the banned contraband was being smuggled.

Yesterday, Excise department had seized a huge cache of ganja and arrested four persons at Nirgundi toll gate in Cuttack district.