Bhubaneswar: A large haul of narcotics and other objectionable items were seized by Odisha Police following raids in several prisons across Odisha here on Sunday.
"It was a state-wide operation during which police teams carried out raids on a large number of jails as part of a drive to unearth prohibited and dangerous items," said Additional DG of Police (Prisons), Arun Kumar Ray.
A surprise raid on Sambalpur circle jail led to seizure of over Rs 16 lakh and mobile phones from jailer’s chamber. According to reports, Rs 16.72 lakh and 9 mobile phones were recovered from jailer Sushant Rout’s chamber.
Sambalpur Superintendent of police Akhilesvar Singh said the money was seized from the almirah in the office chamber of the jailor. Moreover, 9 mobile phones, SIM cards, Ganja, liquor and other intoxicants were also recovered from the jail, he said.
Singh said the jail officials stated that the amount was prisoners cash and advance for purchase of materials for the jail.
The raids were conducted as part of a massive search operation across several jails in different parts of the state. It is suspected that Rout had nexus with some of the inmates which has now come under scanner.
Jail IG Arun Ray informed that search operation is being conducted in over 12 jails including Choudwar jail in Cuttack, Jharpada in Bhubaneswar, Keonjhar, Balasore, Berhampur and other places.
According to reports, cigarettes and a television set has been recovered from medical cell at Choudwar circle jail. Sources said, industrialist Mahimanda Mishra, accused in the Seaways general manager murder case was lodged in the particular cell.
The Twin City police conducted massive search operations at both the prisons as part of the ongoing efforts to curb the ‘crime syndicate’ operating from inside jails. Apart from both the jails, similar search operations were also carried out in Keonjhar, Balasore and Berhampur by Odisha Police.
According to reports, a special team of Commissionerate police led by Cuttack DCP Sanjeev Arora, Inspector-in-charge of eight police stations and other zone ACPs conducted the raid in Choudwar jail at around 4 am today.
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Though the cops are yet to divulge information about the articles seized during the search operation, a large haul of narcotics and other objectionable items have been seized during raid on the two jails, sources said.
Earlier, a special raid had exposed the lavish life-style by prisoners’ inside Choudwar jail. Two LCD television sets, music system were seized during a raid last year.