Bargarh: Police in Bargarh district have arrested three persons on charges of trafficking brown sugar during a raid on the outskirts of the town, officials said on Friday.
The accused have been identified as Raju Tandi (46) of Mahantipada under Bargarh Town Police Station limits, Gopi Mahanand (40) of Master Tikra, and Shrabana Kumbhar (22) of Bisipada.
Acting on intelligence inputs about suspected drug trafficking activity, a team from Bargarh Town Police conducted a surprise raid on the Brahmachari–Katapali road on the outskirts of Bargarh town. The three accused were allegedly caught off guard during the operation and were taken into custody on the spot.
Police seized 16 grams of brown sugar from their possession along with two mobile phones and cash amounting to ₹2,250.
Addressing a press conference at the Bargarh Town police station, Padarabinda Tripathi, SDPO of Bargarh, said the accused were engaged in illegal drug trafficking when the police team intercepted them during the raid.
Further investigation is underway to determine the source of the contraband and whether the accused are linked to a wider drug trafficking network in the region, police said.
