Five held with 97 kg of cannabis near PN College in Khurda
Odisha's anti-narcotics task force arrested five men and seized about 97 kg of cannabis, valued at Rs 49 lakh, from two cars near PN College in Khurda on 31 October 2026. Police described the Solapur man among them as the alleged kingpin of a network moving cannabis from Kandhamal district to Maharashtra.
🇮🇳 PN College, Khurda, Odisha · India
- Arrested
- 5
- Cannabis
- 97 kg
- Value (official estimate)
- INR 4,900,000
The anti-narcotics task force (ANTF) of the Odisha crime branch arrested five
men and seized about 97 kg of cannabis near PN College in Khurda.[1] The five
were Sagar Basavraj Kapale, 35, of Solapur in Maharashtra, described as the
alleged kingpin, and four men from Kandhamal district: Udaya Digal, 27, of
Luharpanga; Naresh Pradhan, 36, and Kartik Mallick, 28, of Kilupada village; and
Govil Raj Behera, 39, of Mathasahi.[1]
The cannabis was being transported from Kandhamal district to Solapur in two
vehicles, police said.[1] Police valued the load at Rs 49 lakh.[1] The two
vehicles were a Maruti Baleno and a Maruti Ertiga.[2] Officers also seized
mobile phones, debit cards and Rs 11,600 in cash.[2]
A preliminary investigation indicated the men were part of an organised
inter-state cannabis trafficking network operating between Odisha and
Maharashtra, the ANTF said.[1] Investigators suspect the syndicate may have
been active for several years.[1] Police said they were tracing the source of
the cannabis, other members of the network and financial transactions.[1]
Police said the accused would be produced in court and that officers might seek
remand.[1] The action aligned with enforcement measures under the Nasha Mukt
Bharat Abhiyaan and Nasha Mukta Odisha Abhiyan, campaigns for a drug-free India
and Odisha.[1]
Sources
- 5 inter-state traffickers nabbed in Khurda with 97 kg cannabis. The Times of India, 31 October 2026.
- Odisha STF Busts Interstate Drug Syndicate; 5 Including Maharashtra Kingpin Held. Pragativadi, 31 October 2026.
Open questions the AI reported
- The Times of India's text says the crackdown took place on Friday, while its photo caption and Pragativadi say Saturday morning; the report uses Saturday, 31 October 2026.
- No charges, court date or remand outcome were reported; the sources say only that the five would be produced in court and police might seek remand.
- Pragativadi calls the unit the Special Task Force (ANTF) and spells the alleged kingpin Sagar Basavaraj Kapale and one accused Uday Digal, while The Times of India describes the anti-narcotics task force of the crime branch and gives Sagar Basavraj Kapale and Udaya Digal; the report follows The Times of India.
- Pragativadi's lead image carried only the alt text 'Interstate ganja syndicate busted', so it could not be confirmed as a photograph of this seizure and was not listed as media.
