A joint team of Machhkund and Lamtaput police set up a checkpoint near Dokripada village after receiving intelligence about a ganja smuggling operation.[1] Officers spotted a pickup van approaching at high speed and stopped it for inspection.[1] The search found 132 kg of ganja packed in seven sacks in the vehicle’s rear cargo compartment.[1] Officers also seized the pickup van used to carry the contraband.[2] The driver was arrested at the scene.[1][2] Police identified the driver as Gopinath Khinibudi, a resident of Renga village in the Pottangi area of Koraput district.[2]

Police estimated the seized ganja to be worth about Rs 15 lakh.[1] A preliminary investigation suggested the ganja was being taken from a border area of Malkangiri district to Patangi for illegal distribution.[1] Police said they had begun a further investigation to identify others in the smuggling network and to establish the full extent of the operation.[1]