Boudh: Boudh police have recovered 1.38 tonnes of cannabis concealed inside a coal-laden truck and arrested two men from Madhya Pradesh, who were allegedly involved in an interstate smuggling operation, police said on Saturday.
The accused, identified as Kripal Singh (27) and Kuldeep Rathor (19), both residents of Ujjain district in Madhya Pradesh, were apprehended after police intercepted the truck within the Kantamal police station limits in Boudh district on May 28.
Acting on specific intelligence input, a police team stopped the coal-laden vehicle and conducted a thorough search. During the inspection, police found 1,385 kg of ganja hidden beneath the coal consignment in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
Boudh Superintendent of Police Rahul Goel said preliminary investigations suggest the contraband was being transported from the Phulbani–Boudh border region. The truck owner-cum-driver and his associate were taken into custody at the spot.
“The accused had concealed the ganja inside the coal load to avoid suspicion during transit. Efforts are underway to identify the source of the consignment as well as the intended recipients. The investigation is focused on uncovering the entire supply chain behind the smuggling network,” Goel said.
Police said the truck was searched in the presence of witnesses and an executive magistrate. The seized contraband, weighing 13 quintals and 85 kg, along with the vehicle used for transportation, has been taken into custody.
A case has been registered at Kantamal police station under Case No. 142/2026. Investigators are probing possible interstate links and examining whether a larger drug trafficking syndicate was involved in the operation.
Further investigation is underway.