Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown on crime and drug peddling, Puri Police have launched a special drive named ‘Operation Chakra’, resulting in the arrest of seven persons in two separate cases of extortion and ganja smuggling.
The operation, initiated under the direction of Puri SP Prateek Singh, aims to curb rising criminal and narcotics-related activities in the district.
In the first case, Chandanpur Police arrested four men for allegedly extorting money from locals and threatening them.
The accused were identified as Sanjay Behera, Nursing Subudhi, Rakesh Behera, and Manoj Kumar Behera, all residents of the Chandanpur area.
According to police, the gang had been involved in intimidating local residents and had previously assaulted several individuals, causing serious injuries. Acting on a tip-off, the Chandanpur Police raided the location and arrested the accused.
During the operation, police seized a Maruti Swift car, a knife, a live bomb, an Apple iPhone, around Rs 1,000 in cash, and an OPPO smartphone from their possession.
“The accused had been creating fear in the area. Strict action has been taken and they have been forwarded to court,” said SP Prateek Singh while speaking to the media.
In a separate operation, Puri Sadar Police busted a ganja smuggling racket and arrested three persons transporting cannabis from Bhubaneswar to Puri.
The accused — identified as Sukant Kumar Sahoo, Jitendra Parida, and Omkar Parida — were caught while trying to distribute the contraband in various parts of the town.
Based on intelligence inputs, police intercepted the accused and seized approximately 14 kg of ganja along with a scooter used in the transport.
“The accused were operating in a planned manner, bringing ganja from Bhubaneswar and selling it in small quantities. We acted swiftly and prevented further distribution,” SP Singh said.
SP Prateek Singh confirmed that ‘Operation Chakra’ will continue across Puri city, with all police stations instructed to maintain vigilance and take prompt action against any illegal or anti-social activity.
“This is just the beginning. Our teams are closely monitoring criminal elements and we will ensure Puri remains safe and drug-free,” he added.
