Bhubaneswar: In a continued crackdown against drug trafficking, the Odisha Police on Tuesday launched a major action under ‘Operation Prahar’ by demolishing the house of a known drug peddler in Bhubaneswar’s Nayapalli area.
The house, located near the ID Market in Nayapalli, belonged to Sabitri Behera, who has reportedly been involved in the illegal trade of brown sugar, ganja, and ganja-laced cigarettes.
According to the police, Behera has been arrested three times for drug-related offences.
“Sabitri Behera has been selling narcotics in the area for a long time. She was arrested again on September 2 for illegally running the trade. As per the guidelines under ‘Operation Prahar,’ her house was demolished today with assistance from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC),” said Satyaranjan Pradhan, Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Nayapalli Police Station.
Under the new enforcement strategy, the Odisha Police have decided that any drug peddler arrested three or more times will face demolition of their illegal properties.
Pradhan added that a list of other drug peddlers in Bhubaneswar has been prepared and similar action will be taken against them in the coming days.
“We will take strict action against all those involved in the drug trade. This city will not tolerate such activities,” he said.
The demolition drive is part of a broader initiative to make Bhubaneswar a drug-free city.
