Berhampur, Mar 12: Illegal ganja trafficking from Odisha to other states continues to pose a serious challenge, with smugglers adopting new methods to transport the contraband. However, the Excise Department achieved a major breakthrough on Thursday by intercepting a smuggling attempt near Berhampur.

According to reports, the Excise Department received a tip-off from intelligence sources about ganja being illegally transported from Odisha to Tamil Nadu. Acting on the information, officials kept surveillance and later conducted a raid on a national highway.

During the operation, the team seized 111 kg of ganja. Officials also confiscated two cars, a motorcycle, and a container used in the smuggling operation. In connection with the case, five persons were arrested, and four mobile phones were recovered from their possession. The accused have been produced before the court.

In a separate incident, another team intercepted smugglers carrying more than one quintal of ganja. However, the traffickers managed to flee the scene, officials said.