Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra

In one of the biggest drug haul in Odisha, the Special Task Force (STF) of the State Crime Branch on Monday seized more than three kg of brown sugar worth over Rs 4 crore and Rs 60 lakh in cash from a rented house at PWD Lane in Nayagarh district. 

Along with the drugs and cash, as many as three pistols and some live bullets were also seized from the house. One accused has been nabbed in this connection, said authorities adding that  as many as seven peddlers are suspected to be involved in the drugs racket.

As per reports, the prime accused, stated to be a native of some other district, has been residing in a rented accommodation along with his family members for the last few months. Crime Branch source said that he has been allegedly involved in drugs peddling business in the area.

Acting on an intelligence input about his brown sugar trade, the STF team conducted a raid on the rented house and seized the contraband. Failing to trace the accused initially, the team reportedly interrogated the family members to elicit more information about his drug syndicate. Further investigation into the case is underway, said a Crime Branch official. 

The seizure of the massive amount of drugs from Nayagarh comes just few weeks before the scheduled Panchayat Elections in the region which has now put the policing authorities on their toes. 

Meanwhile, intellectuals and locals of Nayagarh have expressed concerns over the drug menace in the district which is said to be gradually spreading its tentacles among the youngsters.
 

(Edited by Suryakant Jena)

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