News:2026-07-31/Trafficking/odisha-stf-seizes-497-kg-of-cannabis-hidden-under-rice-bags-on-a-truck-bound-for-delhi

News record31 July 2026Trafficking

Odisha STF seizes 497 kg of cannabis hidden under rice bags on a truck bound for Delhi

The Special Task Force of Odisha's Crime Branch said on 31 July 2026 it had seized 497 kg of ganja valued at around Rs 2.5 crore from a goods carrier truck intercepted near Pitapalli under Infovalley police limits in Khordha district. Acting on intelligence, the STF found the consignment concealed beneath bags of rice during a search under the NDPS Act, 1985. Preliminary investigation indicated the cannabis was sourced from Gajapati district, loaded at Berhampur and bound for Delhi. The Statesman identified the detained driver-cum-owner as Prem Chandra of Aligarh district in Uttar Pradesh; Pragativadi identified him as Raju, son of Prem Chandra, of Chaman Nagaria village in Aligarh and gave the truck's registration as UP81ET0981. The STF said teams would travel to Uttar Pradesh and Delhi to identify suppliers, transporters, recipients and financiers and to trace the financial trail, with the accused to be produced before the jurisdictional magistrate. Reported by The Statesman and Pragativadi on 31 July 2026.

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Date31 Jul 2026

CategoryTrafficking

CountryIndia

State / provinceOdisha

District / areaKhordha

LocalityPitapali

AgencyOdisha Special Task Force

Coordinates20.20, 85.66

Coordinates are approximate.

Source report

2026-07-31 Trafficking Odisha STF seizes 497 kg of cannabis hidden under rice bags on a truck bound for Delhi The Special Task Force of Odisha's Crime Branch said on 31 July 2026 it had seized 497 kg of ganja valued at around Rs 2.5 crore from a goods carrier truck intercepted near Pitapalli under Infovalley police limits in Khordha district. Acting on intelligence, the STF found the consignment concealed beneath bags of rice during a search under the NDPS Act, 1985. Preliminary investigation indicated the cannabis was sourced from Gajapati district, loaded at Berhampur and bound for Delhi. The Statesman identified the detained driver-cum-owner as Prem Chandra of Aligarh district in Uttar Pradesh; Pragativadi identified him as Raju, son of Prem Chandra, of Chaman Nagaria village in Aligarh and gave the truck's registration as UP81ET0981. The STF said teams would travel to Uttar Pradesh and Delhi to identify suppliers, transporters, recipients and financiers and to trace the financial trail, with the accused to be produced before the jurisdictional magistrate. Reported by The Statesman and Pragativadi on 31 July 2026. https://www.thestatesman.com/india/497-kg-cannabis-worth-rs-2-5-crore-seized-in-odisha-up-man-held-1503623087.html India Odisha Khordha Pitapali 20° 12' 0.00" N, 85° 39' 36.00" E Odisha Special Task Force https://www.thestatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG 3291.webp