Nagpur: In a major anti-narcotics operation, the Social Security Branch (SSB) of Nagpur Crime Branch seized more than 150 kg of ganja concealed in a truck transporting steel coils and detained two persons from Odisha.

The contraband and vehicle collectively valued at nearly ₹1.5 crore were seized near Joginder Singh Dhaba on the Nagpur-Hyderabad Ring Road under the jurisdiction of Pardi Police Station.

According to police, the operation was carried out at around 4.40 am on Tuesday following specific inputs. During the search of an Ashok Leyland truck (OD-34-H-4489), officials recovered 150.520 kg of ganja worth approximately ₹37.63 lakh. The narcotic substance was allegedly being transported along with a consignment of 29.260 tonnes of steel coils valued at ₹71.98 lakh.

The accused have been identified as Jogesh Dharmodhar Devuri (30) and Mahendra Hurda Devuri (40), both residents of Kathania, Kisan Nagar area of Angul district in Odisha.

Police also seized the truck worth ₹40 lakh and two mobile phones valued at ₹18,000. The total value of the seized property stands at ₹1,49,79,837.

Investigators said the accused were found transporting and possessing the contraband in violation of the provisions of the NDPS Act. A case is being registered at Pardi Police Station under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(C) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of PI Darshan Patil and API Shivaji Nanaware, along with a team comprising HC Samadhan Gite, NPC Sheshrao Raut, and police personnel Ashwin Mange, Kunal Masram, Sameer Sheikh, Kunal Bodkhe, Prakash, Laxman and Kishor. Police are investigating the source and intended destination of the seized consignment.