Drug racket busted in Bhubaneswar slum; two arrested

Bhubaneswar: Continuing its crackdown on illegal smuggling of narcotics, excise sleuths today seized brown sugar worth lakhs of rupees from a slum in Bhubaneswar and arrested two persons in connection with the case.

Acting on a tip off,  the officials conducted surprise raids at Keutasahi in Haladipadia under Laxmisagar police limits of the city and busted a drug racket operating in the area.

" The seized items are worth Rs 3 lakh. Investigation is on to trace other members involved in the racket," informed an official.

This is the fourth case of  drug seizure in the city in the past one month, indicating rise in drug business in the capital especially in slum areas like Haladipadia which have become hub for the trade.

At least eight persons have been arrested during last one month for their involvement in trafficking of these contraband items, informed excise officials.

A mother-son duo was arrested on June 27 with nearly 14 gms of brown sugar and cash amounting to Rs 1 lakh from Haladipadia area.

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On July 12 , the excise sleuths had arrested two persons and seized 45 gms of brown sugar  while unearthing a similar drug racket from Samantarapur area.

Five days later, brown sugar weighing 300 grams worth around Rs 30 lakh was seized while being smuggled in a car from Jaleswar to Bhubaneswar. Four persons were arrested in the case.