A special task force of the Koraput district police intercepted a truck near Machhra on Saturday 4 August 2018 and seized over 3,000 kg of ganja worth Rs 2.40 crore.[1][2] Two men were arrested: Toufik Khan, 30, of Madhya Pradesh and Lalit Mahajan, 28, of West Delhi.[1][2]
The ganja had been packed in polythene bags under a facade load of broomsticks, Koraput superintendent Kanwar Vishal Singh said.[1] Six men were in the truck, but four fled on seeing the police team, and a manhunt was launched for the absconders.[1]
An inter-state racket
Police described a well-knit inter-state ganja racket operating in the area, bringing the contraband from interior parts of Koraput and Malkangiri districts for transport to Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.[1] A special drive in the district had already led to 50 arrests and the seizure of around 9,000 kg of ganja in the previous six months.[1]