Brown sugar worth Rs 50 lakh seized in Bhubaneswar; surveillance heightened ahead of New Year

Ahead of New Year 2024, the Commissionerate Police on Monday arrested two persons on charges of involvement in illicit brown sugar smuggling. Brown sugar weighing around 660 grams has been seized from the accused, who reportedly hail from the Jaleswar area in the Balasore district. The cost of the seized brown sugar is said to be around Rs 50 lakh.

Senior police officials said that the brown sugar had been seized by the Special Crime Unit squad. The accused were nabbed based on specific intelligence that some people were planning to smuggle brown sugar in a pick-up van. A raid was subsequently conducted at CRP square in Bhubaneswar and both the accused were nabbed.

Sources said the accused were allegedly involved in smuggling in the guise of fish trade. They were targeting to sell the drugs to various clubs and pubs ahead of the New Year.

Twin City Police Commissioner, Soumendra Priyadarshi said, “The Special Crime Unit started functioning in May and so far the team has seized over 2 kgs of brown sugar.“

According to Priyadarshi, as a lot of youngsters are falling into the drugs trap, a special operation White Spider has been launched to put a check on the illegal narcotics trade.

“New Year is the time when such drugs are used. Hence, our focus will be on launching massive surveillance and crackdowns. DCPs of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have been asked to take special measures,” the senior cop added.