The Commissionerate Police busted an illegal gun running racket at Jagatpur area in the Millennium City of Cuttack on Friday.
As many as four persons have been arrested in this connection. Police seized two pistols (one 9 mm, another toy gun), two live rounds, Rs 1,00,000 cash, five mobile phones, two bikes, a sharp-edged weapon and other incriminating materials from their possession during the raid at a hideout.
The arrested gun-runners have been identified as Lipu alias Khirod Sethi, Dipu alias Chakradhar Sethi, Chiku alias Khageswar Jena and Babu.
“Lipu and Dipu are brothers and they belong to Tangi area. The places of residence of Chiku and Babu are yet to be ascertained,” said Cuttack DCP Prateek Singh.
Acting on an intelligence input, a team of police officials raided the hideout in Jagatpur and arrested the smugglers while they were planning a criminal conspiracy.
“All of them are notorious criminals and a number of cases are pending against them in different police stations across the State. They used to commit burglary in Tangi, Chaudwar, Jagatpur and many other places by brandishing guns,” said Singh.
“Further investigation into the case is underway. We are trying to trace the source from where they procured the guns,” he added.
Earlier in April this year, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Crime Branch had arrested two arms smugglers following a raid near Sikharghat bridge under Niali police limits in Cuttack district.