20 men held in Keonjhar for smuggling marijuana

Keonjhar: Police here arrested 20 people for allegedly smuggling marijuana from Anandapur area of Keonjhar district, while seizing a large quantity of marijuana, vehicles and cash. SDPO Anandapur Kamal Lochan Panda gave details on the case to the media at a news meet on Wednesday afternoon.According to the SDPO, a special team was formed on the instructions of the Keonjhar SP Nitin Kushalkar with all police station officers of Anandpur sub-division. Investigations are underway.First, two marijuana traders were arrested from Ramachandrapur police station. Later, based on their tip-off, 17 other people were arrested from different areas of Anandpur sub-division, the SDPO said.During the raid and search operation at different places, the police team seized a car loaded with marijuana from Belabahali village under Ghasipura police station and arrested an accused.In this operation conducted by the police, 10 quintals of ganja, two cars, two bikes and Rs 12,000 in cash have been seized, police said. “All the accused have been sent to judicial custody after medical examination,” Anandpur SDPO Kamal Lochan Panda revealed in the news meet.Strict operations against drug smuggling will continue in the coming days, he added. Police have strictly warned those involved in such illegal activities.