Ganja cultivation, trade thrive

ANGUL: Ganja weighing seven quintals was seized near Bapuji College at Chhendipada from a 10-wheeler on Saturday. The contraband worth Rs 20 lakh was packed in 27 gunny bags and was being transported to outside the State. Three of the four persons arrested belonged to Uttar Pradesh  SDPO R K Singh said, “So far we have seized cars, and MUVs that have been used for transportation of ganja. This is for the first time we have seized a 10-wheeler.” He said a separate chamber was built inside the vehicle to conceal the gunny bags containing the contraband. Sources said cultivation and sale of ganja continues to thrive in Chhedipada region despite tall claims by Excise sleuths. This illegal trade has spread its tentacles even to Delhi which was proved after the Delhi Crime Branch officers picked a local politician some months back from here on charges of trading in ganja. It is learnt that inter-state mafias are behind funding and initiating ganja cultivation in the region. Every year, Excise and police officials mobilise huge manpower to destroy ganja cultivation to the tune of crores of rupees. The trade, however, continues unabated.