Brown Sugar worth Rs 26 lakh seized in Bhubaneswar, 1 arrested from Bomikhal

In a major crackdown on narcotics trafficking, the Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police seized 263 grams of brown sugar, estimated to be worth around Rs 26 lakh, from the capital city of Bhubaneswar. The operation, conducted on Sunday evening, also led to the arrest of a key drug peddler from the Bomikhal area.

Providing details of the bust, STF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Pinak Mishra stated that the team had received a credible intelligence input about illegal narcotics being smuggled into Bhubaneswar. Acting swiftly, STF officials raided a location in Bomikhal, where they intercepted and apprehended a suspect in possession of a significant quantity of brown sugar.

The accused, whose identity is being verified, was allegedly part of an organized drug distribution network operating across various parts of Odisha. During the raid, the STF also seized mobile phones and other incriminating evidence pointing to a broader nexus involved in the illegal drug trade.

DIG Pinak Mishra emphasized that this successful seizure is part of STF’s intensified efforts under the ongoing anti-narcotics drive. He further stated that the contraband’s high market value reflects the severity of the threat posed by synthetic drugs like brown sugar, especially in urban areas like Bhubaneswar.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The accused has been taken into custody and is being interrogated to trace the supply chain and identify others involved in the racket.

Officials said that further investigations are underway and more arrests are likely. The STF has reaffirmed its commitment to curbing the drug menace in the state and urged citizens to come forward with any information related to drug peddling or illegal activities.

This seizure marks one of the largest drug hauls in the capital region in recent months, raising fresh concerns about the increasing penetration of narcotics into Odisha’s urban centers.