Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate Police’s Special Crime Unit on Monday raided shops near a private university in the Infocity police station area following information about suspected drug-related activities, leading to the arrest of one person and seizure of ganja, cigarettes and other materials.
The raid was conducted after police received information about alleged sale of narcotic substances near the educational institution. During the search, the team seized ganja, cigarettes, hand-rolled cigarettes, packing materials and other items suspected to be linked to the illegal trade.
One person was arrested during the operation. Police said further action would be taken after completion of the search and verification of the materials seized.
Special Crime Unit Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Swaraj Debata said the operation was part of the Commissionerate Police’s ongoing crackdown on activities related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (NDPS).
“We have seized packing materials from the shops. Whether fines will be imposed or cases will be registered will be decided after the overall search operation is completed,” Debata said.
He said police were focusing on areas near educational institutions as students and young people were considered particularly vulnerable to drug-related activities.
“We are targeting as many NDPS-related activities as possible and carrying out extensive enforcement. We are particularly focusing on vulnerable groups near educational institutions. Such areas are being targeted for enforcement, and we are also conducting awareness programmes on how young people can stay away from drugs,” Debata said.
Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar- Kataka Police Commissionerate, Dr S Dev Datta Singh, said the police were adopting a micro-level approach as part of efforts to build a ‘Nasha Mukt’ (drug-free) society.
Singh said police had found instances of drugs being packed into small quantities and allegedly sold through small shops at various locations.
“Small packets of drugs are being prepared and sold at various places, including small shops. In several places, drugs are also being sold to students. The police are working to curb such activities,” Singh said.
