Bhubaneswar, Apr 22 (Reporter) The Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha Police, with assistance from the Kandhamal Police, has apprehended the absconding Ganja peddler Soumya Ranjan Digal, who is part of a large racket and has been involved in illegal contraband business for the past three years. STF sources reported that the team conducted a raid in Tikabali on April 21 and apprehended Digal. Earlier his younger brother was nabbed from Bhubaneswar and forwarded to the court. During the operation, on April 11 last, 52 kg of contraband Ganja and a car were seized from the conscious possession of Bikash Digal, younger brother of Soumya Digal, while both were transporting the contraband Ganja. However, Soumya Digal managed to escape from the spot. The accused persons primarily hail from Kandhamal, which is a major cultivation area of Cannabis (Ganja) and also a hotbed of Naxalism in Odisha. They used to collect contraband Ganja from Kandhamal and Boudh areas. It has been observed that they preferred to transport Ganja in cars rather than big vehicles or trucks, as cars are less suspected by law enforcement agencies. It has also been noticed that a significant number of people from Kandhamal reside in the particular basti/area of Bhubaneswar, indicating the possibility of involvement of many others in Ganja trafficking. This aspect is under analysis and surveillance. Furthermore, their connections with other inter-district and inter-state drug traffickers are being scrutinized. The STF further stated that their possible connections with Naxals/Sympathizers in the Kandhamal-Boudh region would also be investigated. Many surrendered Naxals and seized documents have indicated a deep nexus between Naxals and Cannabis (Ganja) cultivation. The two accused have accumulated a substantial amount of money and have purchased at least five expensive cars and two motorcycles. A thorough financial investigation under Section 68 of the NDPS Act has been initiated. According to the NDPS Act, all properties (movable and immovable) acquired from proceeds of crime in the last six years will be seized, and a proposal will be submitted to the competent authority in Kolkata (a quasi-judicial authority under the NDPS Act) for permanent forfeiture of the seized/frozen property...////...