Telangana's EAGLE Force seizes 500 kg marijuana in Odisha operation

In a high-stakes overnight operation, Telangana's anti-narcotics unit, EAGLE, seized 500 kg of marijuana after intercepting a vehicle suspected of smuggling the contraband through the forests of Odisha. Acting on specific intelligence, a patrol team led by Sub-Inspector K. Ravi Prasad began trailing a Bolero vehicle near Balimela on the night of June 17, continuing into the early hours of June 18.

The pursuit spanned 80 kilometers of rugged, hilly terrain, stretching towards Jeypore. The team eventually cornered the vehicle deep within a forested area. However, under the cover of darkness and poor visibility, the driver managed to escape. Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered 115 packets of marijuana, weighing a total of 500 kg.

The contraband included 90 packets of 5 kg each and 25 packets of 2 kg each. The total value of the seized marijuana, along with the vehicle, is estimated at ₹2.3 crore. The vehicle and the confiscated drugs were handed over to the Koraput police in Odisha in the early hours of June 18. A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, and further investigations are underway.

The Bolero was found to be registered under the name of Amir Alli Khan, a resident of Gandhi Nagar in Nuasahi, Nabarangapur district, Odisha. According to Sandeep Shandilya, Director of EAGLE, the unit maintains an active presence in regions known for supplying marijuana to Telangana and regularly conducts operations to disrupt trafficking routes.

Officials highlighted the challenges faced during the operation, including the dense forest cover and difficult terrain. The Odisha police commended the EAGLE team for their successful interception of the consignment. The operation bears similarities to a 2024 case, where EAGLE personnel tracked traffickers to Ranchi and seized another 500 kg of marijuana.