The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch seized a huge haul of brown sugar worth over Rs 1 crore in Balasore on Wednesday.
A drug peddler has been arrested in this connection. The accused has been identified as Sheikh Mezu, a resident of Sahadevkhunta under Arad Bazar police station.
On the basis of intelligence input, the STF team conducted a raid near the railway level crossing and seized brown sugar weighing 1.50 Kg from the possession of the drug peddler.
During the search operation, cash of Rs 28,100 and other incriminating materials were also recovered and seized from his possession.
The accused was forwarded to the court of district and sessions judge. The STF has registered a case under sections of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Further investigation into the incident is underway.
Since 2020, the STF has seized more than 56 kg of brown sugar/heroin, 202 grams of cocaine, 111 quintals ganja, 750 grams opium. As many as 157 drug peddlers have been arrested for peddling contraband during the period.