Bhubaneswar: An alleged arms dealer was arrested by the Special Crime Unit of the Commissionerate Police in the capital, busting an illegal arms trade racket operating from Sundarpada, officials said on Thursday.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the Special Crime Unit conducted a raid in the Talasahi area of Sundarpada and apprehended the accused, identified as Amaresh Rout alias Kanha. During the operation, police seized two semi-automatic pistols, 10 rounds of live ammunition, and two magazines from his possession. The motorcycle allegedly used for transporting the illegal weapons was also confiscated.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manas Kumar Swain of the Special Crime Unit confirmed the development, stating that the accused had been under surveillance following inputs about his involvement in illegal arms trading in the city.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that Rout was earlier arrested in connection with the high-profile Jharaphul murder case by Kuakhia Police and had subsequently secured bail. Police suspect that he resumed his involvement in illegal arms activities after his release.
Officials further indicated the possibility of an inter-state syndicate operating behind the racket. Efforts are underway to trace the source of the seized firearms and identify other individuals linked to the network.
The Commissionerate Police said further investigation is in progress, and more arrests are likely as the probe unfolds.
