Jeypore (Koraput): Police arrested five persons in Jeypore on Sunday for allegedly being involved in drug peddling activities and seized a large quantity of contraband, cash, and mobile phones during a raid on Canal Road under the limits of Jeypore Town Police Station.
The arrested persons have been identified as Debasis Patnaik (29) of Saura Sahi, Tapas Saha (29) of Parabeda, Ram Harijan (34) of Dengaguda, Pradeep Khara alias Roni (25) of Christian Peta, and Suraj Kumar Gupta alias Sonu (29) of Purunagada.
Acting on intelligence inputs received on Saturday (May 30), police conducted a raid in the Canal Road area and apprehended the accused, who were allegedly engaged in the illegal sale of narcotic substances, officials said.
During the operation, police seized 650 Pentazocine injections packed in 15 packets, ₹15,000 in cash, and five mobile phones from their possession. The search was carried out in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and other government officials, police said.
Police further stated that the accused failed to produce any valid documents or licences for possession of the seized substances during verification.
Jeypore SDPO Archita Mittal said the raid was conducted following specific intelligence inputs regarding suspected drug peddling activities in the area. She added that preliminary investigation suggests the involvement of an organised supply chain, which is currently under investigation.
Police also said that two of the accused, Ram and Suraj, were previously involved in a similar NDPS case last year. Efforts are underway to trace the source and wider network of the drug supply.
A case has been registered under Sections 187/26 of the NDPS Act, and all five accused have been forwarded to court. Further investigation is in progress, police added.
Town Police Station IIC Ullasa Chandra Rout and Investigating Officer Govinda Hansda were present during the press briefing.
