News:2026-07-28/Enforcement/odisha-stf-arrests-three-operatives-of-an-interstate-cannabis-syndicate-and-starts-a-pan-india-database

28 July 2026

Enforcement

India · Odisha

Odisha STF arrests three operatives of an interstate cannabis syndicate and starts a pan-India database

Odisha's Special Task Force announced on 28 July 2026 the arrest of three men it identified as operatives of an interstate cannabis trafficking syndicate, all from Ganjam district: Sibaram Biswal, 38, of Phasiguda; Sibaram Patra, 33, of Chanameri; and Kana Mitu alias Manoranjan Sabat, 49, of Berhampur, described by police as a habitual offender. The arrests stem from a case registered on 18 April under the NDPS Act after the STF intercepted an Eicher container truck on NH-16 near Pitapali in Khordha district and seized 227.4 kg of ganja being moved from Adava in Gajapati district towards Rajasthan; the driver, Paras Nath of Bhilwara in Rajasthan, was arrested during that operation. A search at Biswal's residence yielded Rs 3.86 lakh in cash together with documents police described as incriminating. The STF said it had opened a financial investigation into proceeds and assets. At a press conference in Bhubaneswar, DIG Kanwar Vishal Singh said the agency had begun a data-mapping exercise across states to build a consolidated database of interstate smugglers, with STF teams recently visiting Rajasthan and Gujarat to trace supply chains and information being shared with other states' Crime Branch units. Reported by ANI on 28 July 2026.

https://aninews.in/news/national/general-news/odisha-stf-arrests-three-key-operatives-of-interstate-cannabis-syndicate-building-pan-india-database-to-crack-drug-networks20260728182358/ Source

2026-07-28 Enforcement Odisha STF arrests three operatives of an interstate cannabis syndicate and starts a pan-India database Odisha's Special Task Force announced on 28 July 2026 the arrest of three men it identified as operatives of an interstate cannabis trafficking syndicate, all from Ganjam district: Sibaram Biswal, 38, of Phasiguda; Sibaram Patra, 33, of Chanameri; and Kana Mitu alias Manoranjan Sabat, 49, of Berhampur, described by police as a habitual offender. The arrests stem from a case registered on 18 April under the NDPS Act after the STF intercepted an Eicher container truck on NH-16 near Pitapali in Khordha district and seized 227.4 kg of ganja being moved from Adava in Gajapati district towards Rajasthan; the driver, Paras Nath of Bhilwara in Rajasthan, was arrested during that operation. A search at Biswal's residence yielded Rs 3.86 lakh in cash together with documents police described as incriminating. The STF said it had opened a financial investigation into proceeds and assets. At a press conference in Bhubaneswar, DIG Kanwar Vishal Singh said the agency had begun a data-mapping exercise across states to build a consolidated database of interstate smugglers, with STF teams recently visiting Rajasthan and Gujarat to trace supply chains and information being shared with other states' Crime Branch units. Reported by ANI on 28 July 2026. https://aninews.in/news/national/general-news/odisha-stf-arrests-three-key-operatives-of-interstate-cannabis-syndicate-building-pan-india-database-to-crack-drug-networks20260728182358/ India Odisha Odisha Special Task Force