Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Excise Department has seized around 6 quintals of ganja worth around Rs 60 lakh during a special enforcement drive in Bhubaneswar and arrested three persons in connection with the case.

The operation was carried out on the directions of the Excise Commissioner as part of intensified surveillance to curb the movement of contraband through the state capital.

According to the Excise Department, a team was conducting a vigil in the Tamando area on Thursday evening when it spotted a suspicious truck. The vehicle was chased and intercepted at Acharya Vihar Square. During a search, officials recovered six quintals of ganja concealed in the truck.

The arrested persons have been identified as truck driver Srikanta Pradhan, Mithun Behera and Smrutiranjan.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the consignment had originated from Kandhamal district and was being transported out of Odisha. Investigators suspect that the ganja was to be redistributed in smaller vehicles before being supplied to different destinations.

The Excise Department said it is examining the truck owner's call detail records to identify others involved in the smuggling network. Officials warned that strict legal action will be taken against all those found connected to the racket.