Khordha: Khordha Police on Tuesday busted an alleged brown sugar trafficking network by conducting two separate raids in the district, seizing a total of 278 grams of the contraband and arresting six persons. One accused is currently absconding, police said.
The larger haul was made during a raid under the Khordha Sadar police station limits, where police recovered 257 grams of brown sugar. The operation also led to the seizure of a country-made pistol, live ammunition, cash and other incriminating materials, indicating possible links between drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms.
According to police, the raid was launched following specific intelligence inputs about illegal brown sugar trading near the Hanuman Temple at Dalaiput under the Khordha Sadar police station area. Four suspects were detained during the operation and later arrested after questioning.
In a separate operation carried out in the Banapur area, police seized another 21 grams of brown sugar and arrested two persons in connection with the case.
Khordha Superintendent of Police P. Smit Parmar said the combined operations resulted in the seizure of 278 grams of brown sugar and the arrest of six accused, while efforts are underway to trace the absconding suspect.
The SP said Khordha Police have intensified their crackdown on narcotics trafficking, adding that more than one kilogram of brown sugar has been seized across the district over the past one-and-a-half months.
Police have registered separate cases in connection with the two seizures, and further investigation is in progress to identify other persons involved in the alleged drug trafficking network.
