. A joint team of police and Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has achieved a major success in the end-to-end investigation conducted under the NDPS Act. Two suppliers have been arrested from Naxal-affected Kalahandi and Boudh of Odisha. These accused were involved in drug trafficking at the interstate level. Their arrest has exposed an organized smuggling network, which used to supply ganja illegally.
In two other cases registered in the district, the involvement of accused Pibana Singh and Sidheshwar Rana alias Sumantu was found. Both are residents of Odisha. The role of accused Pibana Singh came to light in the case registered in Pendra police station, in which 73 kg of ganja was seized. In this case, ganja smugglers were caught while taking action in the forest of Khodri Jobatola on 16 January 2025. In which the involvement of smugglers from Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh was also found.
At the same time, the involvement of accused Sidheshwar Rana alias Sumantu was exposed in another case, in which 1.05 quintals of ganja was seized. Let us tell you that this ganja was being transported in two different vehicles from Khongsara-Piparkhunti road, from where the police cordoned off and took action. Other smugglers in this case had already been arrested, and on the basis of backward links revealed during interrogation, Sidheshwar Rana was arrested by raiding Odisha.
Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi Superintendent of Police IPS Bhavna Gupta played a key role in the arrest, who coordinated with the officials of Odisha state and traced the accused. Under her leadership, the team of Cyber Cell in-charge Sub Inspector Suresh Dhruv, Assistant Sub Inspector Gopal Khandekar, constables Rajesh Sharma, Surendra Vishwakarma and Harsh Gaharwar raided Odisha and played an important role in arresting both the accused.
Initial investigation has revealed that both the accused used to buy drugs from gangs cultivating illegal ganja in Naxal-affected areas and smuggle them to various states. Their arrest has given a big blow to this smuggling network. The police is now investigating financial investigation and other links so that other people associated with this network can be identified and arrested.
Superintendent of Police Bhavna Gupta said that this arrest shows our commitment against drug trafficking. The police team has arrested these accused by taking action under challenging circumstances. Strict action will be taken further to completely dismantle this network.
