Puri: In a major crackdown on the illegal narcotics trade, Puri Police have seized 261 grams of brown sugar, estimated to be worth over ₹26 lakh, and arrested four persons following a raid near Bani Bakreswar Temple in Kuapada under Delang police station limits.
Acting on intelligence inputs about illegal drug trafficking, a team from Delang police station conducted a raid behind the temple and apprehended the four accused.
The arrested persons have been identified as Chandan alias Chandrasekhar Biswal of Taratua village under Gadishagoda police station limits; Sagar alias Alok Nayak of Ghoradia village under Delang police station limits; Rashmiranjan Harichandan alias Pinku of Kuapada village; and Benu alias Sonu alias Somanath Dhan of Satasankha area under Pipili police station limits.
During the raid, police seized 261 grams of brown sugar, a black-coloured pistol without ammunition, a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga car, a Yamaha FZ motorcycle and a Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle from their possession. Six mobile phones and cash amounting to ₹6,000 were also recovered.
According to police, the arrested persons have several criminal cases registered against them at different police stations in Puri and other districts. The cases include offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, robbery and other criminal activities.
Further investigation is underway, and police are verifying the criminal antecedents of the accused to ascertain their involvement in other narcotics-related activities.
