Crackdown on illegal narcotics trade near educational institutes in Bhubaneswar

In a continued effort to curb illegal narcotics trade, the Commissionerate Police on Wednesday launched a special operation in Bhubaneswar’s Patia area. Acting on specific intelligence, the Special Crime Unit officials conducted simultaneous searches near a couple of private educational institutions in the locality.

According to sources, several small shops, including paan stalls, came under the scanner during the raid. The police along with the dog squad are thoroughly inspecting the area to identify and dismantle any networks involved in the sale of illegal substances.

Meanwhile, senior police officials have detained a shop owner near Sikhar Chandi for his alleged involvement in the illegal narcotics trade and further investigation into the matter is currently underway.

This comes shortly after a similar raid in the Acharya Vihar area, where the Special Crime Unit had seized ganja-laced cigarettes and detained a few individuals involved in the drug trade. 

The recent actions reflect the police's intensified crackdown on narcotics to ensure public safety, especially around educational zones.

“I sell only tea, gutka, cigarettes. I never sell contraband items,” said a shopkeeper who was detained by the police.