Mastermind of the largest Ganja haul in Odisha worked as a diamond polisher in Surat

Surat (Gujarat) [India], December 29:  The world’s largest diamond cutting and polishing center in Surat appears to have become a haven for criminals seeking work as diamond polishers from other states.

In a sensational case, the criminal absconding in the Rs 3 crore worth of Ganja smuggling case in Orrisa was employed as a diamond polisher in a diamond unit located in Katargam.

Sanjay Goda, the accused wanted in the Rs 3 crore worth of Ganja smuggling case registered in Patapur police station in Odisha, was nabbed by the Surat’s Crime Branch police on Tuesday.

Official sources said the Patapur police station in Odisha had informed the Surat police regarding the seizure of the huge cache of Ganja from Khaparadanga village in Ganjam district on June 30, 2021.

Police stated that the contraband weighing around 3,157 kg was stored in the house owned by one Santosh Mallick of Khaparadanga village in Ganjam district under the jurisdiction of the Patapur police station. While the Patapur police managed to nab Santosh Mallick, Sanjay Goda managed to escape from the spot.

In the meanwhile, the Crime Branch constables Shailesh Dubey and Manoj were given the task of nabbing the Ganja smuggler, Sanjay Goda. Following a tip-off, the constables nabbed Sanjay Goda from Gajera Circle in Katargam on Tuesday.

During interrogation, Sanjay Goda revealed that he escaped from the village in Ganjam district following the police raid in July and came to Surat. He (Sanjay) managed to get the job of a diamond polisher in a diamond unit in Katargam through his acquaintances from Orrisa.

Surat’s diamond industry employs over 50,000 workers from Odisha, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. The total workforce in the diamond industry is about 4.5 lakh.

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