Kandhamal Police Freeze Rs 8 Crore Assets of Two Ganja Smugglers
Police in Kandhamal district have taken strong action against drug trafficking. They have frozen assets worth Rs 8 crore owned by two ganja smugglers. The move aims to cripple their illegal operations.
Approval from Kolkata Authority
Kandhamal SP Harisha B C provided details about the case. A competent authority under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act in Kolkata approved the freezing. This authority sanctioned the freezing of assets worth about Rs 3.6 crore belonging to Dillip Kumar Gauda. It also approved the freezing of Rs 4.59 crore in assets owned by Asish Kumar Digal.
Special Teams Trace Illicit Wealth
The police formed special teams for a financial investigation into NDPS cases. These teams included ASP Ramendra Prasad, DSP Manas Ranjan Barik, and SDPO P P Subhrajit Biswal. Their task was to trace the assets of the two traffickers. The teams successfully identified proceeds worth Rs 8.2 crore derived from the sale of narcotics. All these proceeds have now been frozen.
Arrests and Seizures
Baliguda police arrested Dillip Kumar Gauda on June 4, 2025. They seized 91 kg of ganja from him during the arrest. Phulbani police arrested Asish Kumar Digal on April 4, 2025. They recovered 516 kg of ganja from Digal.
Details of Frozen Assets
The frozen assets of Gauda and his family members cover various categories. They include around Rs 16.28 lakh in saving and fixed deposits. Land and building assets amount to Rs 1.96 crore. Vehicles are valued at Rs 46.81 lakh. Jewellery totals Rs 28.16 lakh. Cash seized amounts to Rs 1.63 lakh.
Similarly, the frozen assets of Digal and his family members are detailed. Bank accounts and fixed deposits hold Rs 2.21 lakh. Land and buildings are worth Rs 3.48 crore. Vehicles have a value of Rs 57.48 lakh. Jewellery is assessed at Rs 9.86 lakh. Cash recovered totals Rs 4.94 lakh.
Legal Framework and Impact
Chapter V-A of the NDPS Act provides for seizure and forfeiture of ill-gotten property. This legal provision targets the assets of accused individuals. SP Harisha B C explained the importance of this action. Attachment of assets prevents reinvestment of illicit proceeds. It disrupts supply chains and recruitment efforts. This approach weakens the operational capacity of organised drug networks. Ultimately, it ensures that crime does not remain economically rewarding.
The police action sends a clear message to drug traffickers. It demonstrates a commitment to dismantling their financial networks. The freezing of assets represents a significant blow to their operations.
