Kataka: Odisha Excise Department officials seized 110 grams of brown sugar, estimated to be worth around Rs 11 lakh, and arrested a drug peddler in Jagatpur area of Kataka on Friday.
The accused, identified as Abhimanyu Nayak, a resident of Nuapada area in Kataka, was reportedly standing at Jagatpur Golei Chhak when excise officials grew suspicious of his movements and detained him.
A search subsequently led to the recovery of 110 grams of brown sugar from his possession. He was later forwarded to court, officials said.
The seizure was part of the department’s ongoing drive against the illegal narcotics trade. With the festive season approaching, the Excise Department has intensified surveillance and raids to curb the sale and distribution of drugs.
The department has also appealed to those involved in the illegal drug trade, as well as drug users, to refrain from the sale and consumption of narcotic substances.
