Bhubaneswar: In a major breakthrough, police on Tuesday arrested six members of the notorious ‘Don Brothers’ drug syndicate near Mangalpur Bypass in Jagatsinghpur district. The operation, led by SDPO Jagatsinghpur, was carried out following credible intelligence.
The arrested accused were identified as Soumyajit Parija alias Biki, the gang leader and a resident of Ohala village. He had previously been arrested by the STF in 2021 for possession of 3 kg of brown sugar and Rs 1 crore in cash, and is involved in seven criminal cases. Also arrested were Swapnajit Parija alias Jaki, Tushar Ranjan Das, and Ranjit Das alias Sipu, all residents of Ohala village, as well as Abhijatya Sahoo and Ranjan Kumar Gochayat, residents of Lalasahi village. One accused in the case is still absconding.
Police said the arrests followed a tip-off, and a total of 70 gm of brown sugar, one scooter, and three mobile phones used in drug trafficking were seized. The “Don Brothers” cartel, led by Biki Parija, ran a district-wide network linked to suppliers in Murshidabad, West Bengal. Drugs were reportedly smuggled via Digha coast using boats, with layered payment channels to avoid detection.
“They primarily targeted college students and school youths, offering free samples to lure them into addiction,” police added.
