Bhubaneswar, Apr 9 (PTI) The Odisha Police have seized ganja worth Rs 49 crore and arrested 529 people for allegedly being involved in illegal trade of the narcotics substance in the last three months, an official said on Tuesday.

The police have launched a massive drive against the trafficking of narcotic substances in the state and seized 49,400 kg of ganja during the January-March period this year, which is one of the highest in the first quarter for any calendar year, he said.

Also Read | BJP Foundation Day 2024 Date: Know the History and Significance of BJP Sthapna Diwas That Celebrates the Formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

This figure did not include the recovery and arrest made by the Odisha Excise Department, he said.

The police have registered 425 cases of ganja seizure and arrested 529 traffickers, including inter-state kingpins who hail from Maharashtra, Kerala, West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the official added.

Also Read | AMC Raising Day 2024: Army Medical Corps Celebrates 260th Raising Day as They Live Up To The Corps Motto.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)