Bhubaneswar, Dec 13: A significant quantity of paddy was seized by Excise Department officials while being smuggled to West Bengal near Satupali under Dhankauda block in Sambalpur district. The operation followed a tip-off from local farmers, who reported suspicious movement of a truck in the area.

During the investigation, officials intercepted the truck, which bore a West Bengal registration number . Upon inspection, they discovered it was loaded with a substantial quantity of paddy, but the driver could not produce valid documentation for the consignment.

The truck’s owner, a resident of the Lahunipada area in Sundergarh district, provided the vehicle’s registration papers but failed to present any documents justifying the transport of the paddy. Subsequently, the officials seized both the truck and its cargo.

Authorities are conducting a thorough inquiry to uncover the origins and intended destination of the smuggled paddy. Further action is expected as the investigation progresses, with efforts to curb illegal paddy transport in the region.

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