Khordha, Dec 31: In a shocking incident that has brought disrepute to the profession of journalism, the Excise Department has arrested a person working as a journalist for his alleged involvement in ganja smuggling. The accused, identified as Pratap Digal (35), was posing as a journalist of a private television channel in Kandhamal district.

Pratap Digal was apprehended near Sarua Sukhua Bazaar under the Baghamari police station limits. In the same case, a total of three persons have been arrested. The Excise Department seized 23 kg of ganja, a Maruti Suzuki car, a private TV channel microphone, a camera, and a journalist identity card from the accused.

Addressing a press conference at the Excise Department office on Tuesday, Excise Superintendent Sumati Tripathy confirmed the arrests and seizures. She further informed that another accused, Dinesh Digal (25), a resident of Arbind Nagar under Phulbani police station limits, has also been taken into custody.

In a separate operation, the Excise Department seized 22 kg of ganja from an Innova vehicle near Malipada on National Highway-16. The contraband was being transported from Kandhamal to Bhubaneswar. The accused, identified as Subal Dehuri, was arrested while attempting to flee after spotting the excise officials.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain the extent of the smuggling network and the involvement of others in the racket.