TV
In a major breakthrough against the illegal narcotics trade, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Crime Branch arrested a notorious drug peddler from Haldipadia in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
The accused has been identified as Ajay Kumar Parida alias Raja, who had been under the scanner of law enforcement agencies for his involvement in drug trafficking activities.
According to police sources, STF officials conducted a raid following reliable intelligence inputs and successfully apprehended the accused. During the operation, the officials seized 121 grams of brown sugar from his possession, which is considered a significant quantity in terms of illegal trade value.
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As per reports, the accused is currently in custody and is undergoing intense interrogation to ascertain the source of supply, network of buyers, and other links in the narcotics chain.
Several criminal cases, including kidnapping, attempt to murder and illegal narcotics trade, have been registered against Parida at many police stations. He has been in jail many times before. However, there has been no change in his behaviour. He was again arrested today as part of 'Operation Prahar' aimed at eliminating drug smuggling networks across Odisha.
The STF believes that his arrest will provide crucial leads in dismantling the wider drug racket operating in the region. Efforts are underway to trace and apprehend others connected to the drug trafficking syndicate.
