Odisha police arrest Bangalore cop for Ganja smuggling

Odisha police have arrested head constable of Karnataka Police along with two others on charges of smuggling Ganja. Karnataka police claim head constable was part of authorised team hunting a notorious Ganja supplier. Odisha and Karnataka police in conflict; two senior Karnataka officers arrive in Odisha to secure the release of head constable.

Odisha police have arrested a head constable of Karnataka police along with two other persons on charges of smuggling Ganja from Kandhamal district. The arrested individuals have been booked under stringent provisions of the Narcotic-Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

However, countering the claims of the Odisha police, the Karnataka police has said that the head constable was part of an authorised team which had come to Kandhamal in the hunt of a notorious Ganja supplier.

The issue is poised to lead to an interstate conflict between Odisha and Karnataka. Two senior police officers from Karnataka have arrived in the State to secure release of the head constable.

“We have arrested the Karnataka police head constable with a drug peddler after thorough investigation. They were caught possessing 17.5 kg Ganja and were about to leave Kandhamal by bus without any intimation to local police,” said Suvendu Kuamar Patra, Kandhamal Superintendent of Police.

“The Karnataka police team had collected Ganja from different parts of Kandhamal and paid a significant amount in lieu of the procurement. Had the police team come with intent to arrest Ganja supplier, the entire team would have been at the spot. Our investigation suggested that the rest of the amount for Ganja consignment was to be paid at Berhampur, 180 km from the place,” said Mr. Patra.

He hinted at involvement of other team members of Karnataka police in the trade.

On the contrary, Karnataka police had pushed a different version and produced official letter in support of their claim.