Bargarh: In a major crackdown on drug smuggling, the Bargarh Rural Police Station and Bargarh Sadar Police Station conducted coordinated raids and arrested five persons for their alleged involvement in illegal trafficking of brown sugar and cough syrup.
Acting on credible inputs that narcotics were being smuggled from Sambalpur to Bargarh town, the Rural Police launched a raid in the Panichhatra area under the Gramanchal police limits. During the operation, police seized 46 grams of brown sugar valued at lakhs of rupees in the illegal market. Along with the contraband, officers recovered aluminum foil rolls, two lighters, mobile phones, and other incriminating materials.
In connection with the brown sugar seizure, two accused — Rahul Pradhan and Balia Mallick of Bargarh town — were arrested and forwarded to court. Police said further investigation is underway to trace the supply network and identify other persons involved in the racket.
In a separate operation, the Sadar Police conducted a raid near Tengenanali Bridge and intercepted another consignment of illegal substances. During the search, police seized a large quantity of banned cough syrup, a country-made pistol, two live bullets, one car, and one motorcycle.
Three persons — Chudamani Seth, Suraj Sahu, and Pramod Muguri — were arrested in connection with the seizure. They have also been produced before the court.
Police officials stated that the twin operations were part of intensified surveillance against the illegal drug trade in the district. Efforts are ongoing to dismantle the wider smuggling network operating between Sambalpur and Bargarh.
