Kalahandi Excise Officials Seize 162 Kg Ganja, Arrest Youth with Minor

Excise officials in Kalahandi seized 162 kg of ganja and arrested a youth with a minor during a raid near Rajamunda on NH-59 on August 23, 2026. The contraband was intended for illegal transport to Balangir. Acting on the directives of Kalahandi Excise Superintendent Ranjan Kumar Naik, a team led by Deputy Superintendent Sagarika Pradhan intercepted a white Maruti Suzuki car with registration number OR-02-AW-9881 (original number CG-04-HA-2811). The car was driven by Bapi Pradhan (26), accompanied by a minor, who were both arrested under NDPS Act case number 124/26-27. Excise sources revealed that the arrested youth hails from the jurisdiction of Phiringia police station in Kandhamal.

The raid team included officers Baleswar Dhangadamajhi, Simanchal Majhi, Binata Kumar, Duleswar Pradhan, Daitari Tandi, Pruthviraj Bag, and Siddhant Pattanayak. Authorities confirmed that the seized contraband was intended for illegal transport to Balangir. During the operation, excise inspector Vijay Bhushan Nayak, along with M. Rampur excise officer Ajit Kumar Nayak and supporting staff, carried out the interception on the highway. The officials also confiscated two smartphones that were allegedly used in the smuggling operation.

According to the excise department, the ganja was being transported from Kandhamal district toward Balangir when the team stopped the vehicle near Rajamunda. The seizure took place under the supervision of Superintendent Ranjan Kumar Naik, who had ordered increased vigilance along NH-59 to curb illicit drug movement. Deputy Superintendent Sagarika Pradhan coordinated the ground team, which comprised the listed officers and additional personnel.

Excise sources said that the arrested individuals were taken into custody and later produced before the appropriate judicial authorities under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The case has been registered as NDPS Act case number 124/26-27. Officials emphasized that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to disrupt inter‑district drug trafficking networks in the region.

The seized contraband, weighing 162 kilograms, represents a significant quantity in the context of recent excise drives in Odisha. Authorities have not disclosed the estimated street value, but they noted that such seizures aim to prevent the distribution of illegal substances to consumers in Balangir and surrounding districts. The involvement of a minor in the operation has drawn attention, with excise officials stating that the juvenile is being handled in accordance with legal protocols for minors involved in narcotics offenses.

Further details about the investigation, including any potential links to broader smuggling syndicates, are expected to emerge as the case progresses through the judicial system. The excise department has reiterated its commitment to maintaining strict surveillance on national highways and continues to act on intelligence inputs to intercept illegal drug shipments.