Odisha Police Arrest 9th Member of Inter-State Ganja Syndicate; Assets Worth Nearly ₹4 Crore Frozen

Bhubaneswar: Kandhamal Police have arrested an alleged key operative of an inter-state cannabis trafficking network from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, taking the number of arrests in the case to nine, police said on Friday.

The accused, identified as Rupesh Pradhan (26), had allegedly been evading arrest for nearly a year. Police said the investigation is linked to a suspected drug trafficking network allegedly headed by Dillip Kumar Gouda.

Alongside the arrests, authorities have seized or frozen assets valued at nearly ₹4 crore as part of a financial investigation under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Arrested From Visakhapatnam

Kandhamal Superintendent of Police Ramendra Prasad, addressing a press conference, said Pradhan was arrested during a targeted operation in Visakhapatnam.

A resident of Khajurinala village under Balliguda police limits, Pradhan allegedly played a role in handling financial transactions and logistics for the network.

According to police, bank accounts and vehicles were registered in his name but were allegedly controlled or used by members of the syndicate for transportation of cannabis and handling proceeds from the illegal trade.

The allegations against the accused are subject to adjudication in court.

Nine Arrested Across Four States

Police said nine people have so far been arrested in connection with the investigation.

Six were apprehended in Odisha, while three others were arrested during coordinated operations in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.

Those arrested include alleged network leader Dillip Kumar Gouda, D N Dinesh, Sunil Mallick, Deepak Kumar Diga, Simanchal Biswal, Mahendra Mallick, Ishwar Singh and Chunbad R Ojha, besides Pradhan.

Police said some of the accused have previous criminal cases registered against them, including cases related to the NDPS Act and organised crime.

₹4 Crore in Assets Seized or Frozen

Investigators have simultaneously moved against the alleged financial network of the syndicate.

According to police, assets worth nearly ₹4 crore have either been seized or frozen. These include approximately ₹16 lakh held in bank accounts, land and other immovable properties estimated at around ₹2 crore, besides commercial and luxury vehicles allegedly linked to trafficking operations.

Gold jewellery valued at approximately ₹30 lakh has also come under the authorities’ action, police said.

The financial investigation is aimed at tracing proceeds allegedly generated through narcotics trafficking and identifying assets acquired or operated using such funds.

Probe Into Wider Network Continues

Police are now investigating whether the syndicate has links with other narcotics networks operating within and outside Odisha.

Investigators are also examining suspected money trails, transportation routes and other individuals who may have facilitated the movement and distribution of cannabis.

Further arrests and financial action could follow if additional links emerge during the investigation, police said.