BERHAMPUR: Boudh police on Monday arrested an on-duty constable from Barkuda chowk on charges of smuggling over 10 kg of ganja.
The accused is Nidhi Sahu (45), a police constable posted at Balasinga reserve in Boudh. Acting on a tip-off, police intercepted Sahu’s motorcycle near Barkuda chowk and on search, seized 10.7 kg ganja from his possession.
Officials said Sahu was involved in transporting the contraband despite being part of the force responsible for curbing the illegal cannabis trade. He was produced in court on Tuesday.
Boudh SP Rahul Goel said strict action would be taken against anyone involved in the ganja trade, irrespective of their position. “We are making all efforts to make Boudh a ganja-free district.
No one will be spared, even if any police personnel is involved in it,” he said, adding that surveillance has been strengthened and enforcement drives are underway to dismantle such networks.
Sources said Boudh district has witnessed multiple cases in recent years involving police and security personnel in cannabis trafficking. According to official records, the Boudh SP in April 2025 ordered the transfer of over 160 police personnel in a single day as part of a crackdown on the suspected nexus.
In January 2023, three policemen - a sub-inspector and two constables - were suspended for allegedly striking a deal with a smuggler, allowing him to escape with 13 kg ganja and later storing the contraband in their official quarters.
In March 2025, three personnel from the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) - a havildar and two constables - stationed at Manamunda for anti-Naxal and anti-drug operations were arrested after 15 kg ganja was recovered from their barracks.
Similarly, in April 2025, a home guard from Manamunda police station, identified as the mastermind of a drug racket, was arrested along with another individual after over a quintal of cannabis was seized from a truck.