Bhubaneswar: The Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Commissionerate Police has initiated strict action to curb the sale and consumption of various narcotics in the Bhubaneswar Urban Police District. As per a press release issued by the Commissionerate Police on Wednesday, efforts are being made at the police station level against the illicit drug trade, POPD and Team-60 have been formed under ‘Operation White Spider’ to keep a close watch on such operations.
During July 2024, five cases of sale of brown sugar were registered and 11 drug peddlers were arrested with the seizure of 55.990 grams of contraband brown sugar, cash to the tune of Rs 2,84,100, seven mobile phones, and six two-wheelers from the possession of the accused.
Similarly, three cases of sale of illegal ganja cases were registered and eight accused were arrested with a seizure of 41.7 kg of marijuana (ganja), cash to the tune of Rs 920, three mobile phones and one four-wheeler from their possession.
‘Operation White Spider’ was started in August 2021. Since then, 65 drug peddlers were arrested and forwarded to court in 35 cases of selling illegal brown sugar were registered this year from January to July, with the seizure of 543.29 grams of contraband brown sugar, cash to the tune of Rs 6,65,625, 24 mobile phones, 26 two-wheelers and three four-wheelers from them. Similarly, in July this year, 38 cases related to the sale of illegal ganja were registered and 66 accused persons were arrested with the seizure of five quintals of contraband ganja, cash to the tune of Rs 1,58,760, 19 mobile phones, six two-wheelers, one three-wheeler and seven four-wheelers.
Bhubaneswar City Police have issued a WhatsApp number- 7077798111 for the public to provide information about illegal drug dealing as well as to focus on criminal activities in their respective areas.
