Cuttack: Jagatpur Police in Odisha’s Cuttack district on Monday busted an inter-state arms smuggling syndicate, arrested three persons, and seized four country-made guns from their illegal possession. The police also seized 12 live bullets and three mobile phones from the possession of the arrested accused.
According to an official release issued by Cuttack Police, acting on a tip-off received on Sunday evening, the ACP Zone 1 Arun Swain formed a team comprising Jagatpur police personnel and members of Special Squad, Cuttack, and conducted raids and search operations in different localities. During the raids, the team arrested a hardcore criminal Babua alias Prakash Behera, and recovered a 9 mm pistol and three live bullets from his possession.
During sustained interrogation, Babua revealed a clandestine business of arms and ammunition having its genesis in Munger district of Bihar. Based on the revelation, police arrested Pintu alias Pyari Mohan Das, a criminal from Jagatsinghpur district, along with his associate Mihir Kumar Ray. During a search, two firearms and seven live bullets were recovered from Pintu’s possession, and another firearm along with two live bullets were recovered from Mihir’s possession.
During interrogation, Pintu confessed that he procured the arms from the Munger district of Bihar. He revealed that he was earlier associated with some people in Munger and procured arms from them. Further interrogation revealed that they were planning to commit armed dacoity from vehicles transporting cash for ATMs in the coming days in Cuttack and adjoining districts.
The release added that two more members of the syndicate have been identified. Raids are continuing to nab them. A special team of UPD Cuttack will soon visit Munger for investigation. The accused will be brought on remand for further interrogation.
Incidentally, Babua has 10 criminal cases against him, while 19 criminal cases are registered against Pintu at different police stations.
