Baleshwar: An inter-district bike theft and illicit liquor racket operating in Baleshwar and neighbouring Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts has been busted with the arrest of four persons, police said on Tuesday.
Sahadevkhunta police also seized four stolen motorcycles and two mobile phones from the arrested accused.
According to police, the breakthrough came during a checking operation near Haripur Chhak at around 5 am on Tuesday. Police intercepted Bubu alias Biswajit Jena, 25, who was allegedly riding a motorcycle without a registration number plate.
During questioning, police allegedly gathered information about the racket and subsequently recovered three more stolen motorcycles from his house and other locations.
The arrested persons have been identified as Bubu alias Biswajit Jena of Dhusuli village under Sadar police station, Babu alias Biswajit Bhandari, 26, of Mansingh Bazar under Town police station, Jaga alias Jagannath Das, 29, of Gopinathpur village under Sadar police station, and Makar Charan Jena, 25, of Machadiha village under Basta police station.
Police said the accused have multiple criminal cases registered against them and were also allegedly involved in the illegal liquor trade.
A case has been registered at Sahadevkhunta police station and further investigation is underway to ascertain the full extent of the racket and identify other persons involved.
