Angul/Chhendipada: Days after illegal opium cultivation worth nearly Rs 5 crore was destroyed in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary area in Angul district, police Wednesday seized 264 kg ganja from the region, while another 1,573 kg cannabis was seized Nisha police limits. Police said a total of seven persons were arrested in the seizure of more than 18 quintal ganja in the district. According to police, a special squad of Angul police conducted a raid near Kandhakoili Chhak under Purunakote police limits.
A group of youths waiting to transport ganja fled the scene on seeing the police near the Sanctuary area. Six were apprehended, while two others escaped under the cover of darkness. Police seized about 264 kg ganja packed in 17 plastic sacks, a country-made gun, a motorcycle and five mobile phones from the accused.
The accused persons, residents of Antulia, Balijerang and Kandhakoili villages under Purunakote police limits, were produced in the court. In the second crackdown conducted on the directions of Angul SP Rahul Jain, a joint team of the special squad and Industrial Area police raided near Jamunda forest and seized more than 1,573 kg of ganja. Further investigation is underway. The main accused, Tikan Behera of Durgapur village under Jarapada police limits, has been arrested.
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