Puri: Launching illegal intoxicant trade in the state, the Excise Department sleuths seized over 4 quintal bhang, by conducting a raid in Chhaitana and Narendrakona area in Puri district today and arrested four peddlers.
As per the report, a joint team of Excise flying squads of Cuttack and Puri conducted a raid in Chhaitana area near Puri-Gop road and arrested one peddler identified as Maheshwar Mohanty. The anti-narcotics officials seized around 4.43 quintal green intoxicant from his possession during the raid.
Later, a raid was conducted in Narendrakona area in Puri town based on the information provided by Maheshwar during his interrogation and three more people were taken into custody. In Narendrakona around 17 kg bhang were also seized.
Flying squad Inspector Sharat Chandra Bhanj led the Excise team during the raid.
Police said the seized green intoxicant will cost around Rs 2 lakh. Peddlers were selling it to local customers after trafficking from Gajapati district.
The held peddlers have been forwarded to court and an investigation is underway in the case.
Ms Kalinga