Bhabanipatana: The Kalahandi Excise Department seized about five quintals of cannabis allegedly being transported through an online courier service and arrested a warehouse manager at Para Manandapur under Bhabanipatana block Sunday.
The cannabis, packed in 25 sacks and concealed in ice boxes used for fish packaging, was seized during a raid on a warehouse operated by Safex Press. The consignment was reportedly booked in the name of the Additional District Judge of Khurja in Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh.
Authorities are investigating how the judge’s name and address were used as the consignee details. The arrested person was identified as Satyendra Kumar Pandey, 30, a native of Uttar Pradesh and chief manager of the warehouse.
He was produced in court after his arrest. The courier facility had reportedly been operating at the location for more than two years. The seizure has raised questions as the office of the Deputy Director of Mines, Kalahandi, is located above the warehouse, while a restaurant operates behind it.
The raid was conducted under the direction of District Excise Superintendent Ranjan Kumar Nayak. Additional District Excise Superintendent Sagarika Pradhan, Inspector Ramji Patel and Sub-Inspector Pankaj Naik participated in the operation.
Earlier, Balangir police arrested seven persons in another alleged courier-based cannabis smuggling case in Kalahandi September 2. Police seized 113 kg of cannabis packed in 10 packets and two vehicles. The two cases have highlighted the alleged use of courier networks to transport cannabis out of Odisha.
