Bhubaneswar, May 13 -- In a major crackdown on inter-state cannabis smuggling, the Narcotics Control Bureau has arrested an alleged cannabis kingpin from Sambalpur and seized nearly one quintal of cannabis during a raid in the Dhanupali area on Wednesday.

The accused has been identified as Satish Pradhan, who, according to investigators, was allegedly running a well-organised inter-state cannabis syndicate while maintaining the image of a respected businessman.

Sources said Satish is widely known in business circles and owns a large hotel in Baliguda. Locals allegedly had little idea about his suspected involvement in narcotics trafficking, as the illegal operation was reportedly being run in an extremely discreet manner.

Investigators...