Bhubaneswar, July 28: In a major breakthrough in its sustained campaign against organised inter-State narcotics trafficking, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha Crime Branch arrested three cannabis mafia.

The accused trio has been identified as Sibaram Biswal, Sibaram Patra and Kana Mitu.

The case pertains to the seizure of a commercial quantity of 227.400 kg of ganja from an Eicher Pro 2114 container vehicle bearing Registration No. GJ-27-TD-1541, which was intercepted by the STF on NH-16 near Pitapali under Jatni Police Station, Khordha district, on the morning of April 18, 2026.

The STF intercepted the vehicle when it was illegally transporting the contraband from Adava in Gajapati district to Rajasthan and managed to arrest one Paras Nath, a resident of Bhilwara of Rajasthan, who was found transporting the commercial quantity of ganja in the vehicle.

According to the Crime Branch, the subsequent backward linkage investigation, supported by technical evidence, field intelligence and examination of witnesses, revealed the involvement of an organised Odisha-based network engaged in procurement, storage and interstate transportation of commercial quantities of cannabis.

Based on the evidence collected during investigation, the STF has arrested the three accused persons - Sibaram Biswal, Sibaram Patra and Kana Mitu.

During the search operations, the STF seized cash amounting to Rs 3.86 lakh from the residence of Sibaram Biswal, besides mobile phones and other incriminating articles believed to be connected with the illegal narcotics trade. The source of the seized cash and its linkage with the proceeds of crime are under investigation.

The investigation has disclosed that the arrested trio played a key role in facilitating the procurement, concealment and interstate transportation of commercial quantities of ganja from Odisha to Rajasthan and other parts of the country through a well-organised drug trafficking syndicate.

The Crime Branch said that all the arrested accused will be produced before the jurisdictional Magistrate today and the STF will seek custodial police remand of accused Sibaram Biswal and Kana Mitu @ Manoranjan Sabat to unearth the complete interstate drug trafficking network, identify other members of the syndicate, establish the financial trail, trace the end beneficiaries and collect further incriminating evidence.