TV
Commissionerate Police-Bhubaneswar busted a major illegal firearms network on Friday and arrested five criminals involved in smuggling guns from northern India. Six firearms and live ammunition were seized during the raid, uncovering a supply chain that spanned Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha.
It is said to be a significant breakthrough against illegal arms trafficking.
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According to official sources, the Twin City police have arrested five criminals and seized six firearms along with live ammunition. The arrested individuals include criminals from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha (Salepur locality of Cuttack).
The gang was actively smuggling guns from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and distributing them across various parts of the country, including Odisha. The firearm seizure and arrest of criminals come as part of a coordinated operation aimed at curbing the illegal arms trade and enhancing regional security.
The illegal arms traders were using well-established interstate routes to transport weapons discreetly, avoiding detection through traditional checkpoints. Police are probing further to determine the full scale of their operation and whether more persons are involved.
Probe on to ascertain potential links
Authorities have confirmed that all five accused are being interrogated for potential links to organised crime networks operating in the eastern and northern regions of India. The seized firearms are undergoing forensic analysis to trace their origins and past usage.
Commissionerate Police stated that efforts to dismantle illegal firearms networks will continue in the days ahead, with increased surveillance and intelligence-based raids.
“In our drive against crimes and the criminals, we had a significant recovery. An interstate firearm trading gang was busted, and six firearms were seized. Five persons were arrested in this connection, of whom three are from Ballia (UP), one from Bhind (Madhya Pradesh), and one is a local from Salepur in Cuttack district. We have also seized 18 rounds of live bullets, a car, and mobile phones from the possession of the criminals,” Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh said in a presser.
