Kandhamala: A three-member armed gang allegedly involved in ganja smuggling and robbery cases was busted in Kandhamala district, with police arresting all three accused and seizing two country-made guns, 42 kg of ganja and two motorcycles from their possession, officials said on Tuesday.
The accused have been identified as Nilambita Mallick, a resident of Tilakapada village under Balliguda police limits in Kandhamala district, and Birendra Mallick and Ranjit Bhoi, both from the Ghantapada police station area of Boudh district.
Acting on a tip-off, a police team conducted a raid in the Balliguda area after receiving information that the accused were allegedly involved in ganja smuggling.
During the raid, police apprehended the three accused and recovered two country-made guns, 42 kg of ganja and two motorcycles, Balliguda SDPO Subham Bhonsale said.
According to Bhonsale, preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused were allegedly active in remote and secluded areas of Kandhamala and Boudh districts.
The trio allegedly used firearms to threaten pedestrians and visitors in isolated areas and later robbed them, police said.
Police suspect that the accused may be involved in several robbery and loot cases reported from the two districts. Investigators are now probing their criminal antecedents and possible links with other members of the gang.
The arrested persons were produced before a court, police said, adding that further investigation is underway.
