Jagatsinghpur: In a major crackdown on illegal drug trade, police in Jagatsinghpur have arrested a father-son duo for allegedly dealing in brown sugar.
The accused have been identified as Niranjan Mohanty (58) and his son Pabitra Mohanty alias Popu (28), both residents of Itapada under Jagatsinghpur police station limits.
During the operation, police seized 40 grams of brown sugar valued at around ₹4 lakh, along with a mobile phone.
According to officials, the duo was selling brown sugar from a shop in Itapada.
Addressing a press conference, SDPO Ajinkya Mane said that Pabitra Mohanty has a criminal past, with a case of attempted murder registered against him in 2016 at Jagatsinghpur police station. Police are now investigating the source of the seized contraband and the network of buyers connected to the accused.
Police have intensified surveillance in the district amid reports of rising narcotics trade, particularly ahead of the festive season. Both accused have been taken into custody and will be forwarded to court after further interrogation.
