Odisha Excise Department seizes 490 grams of Brown Sugar in Bhubaneswar ahead of Diwali, three arrested

Bhubaneswar, Nov 5: In a major crackdown on drug trafficking ahead of Diwali, the Odisha Excise Department seized 490 grams of brown sugar in raids conducted at three different locations in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. Three alleged drug peddlers were arrested during the special enforcement drive.

The seized contraband is estimated to be worth around Rs 60 lakh in the illegal market. The raids were conducted as part of intensified efforts by the Excise Department to curb drug trafficking and prevent the sale of narcotic substances in the state capital during the festive season.

In the first operation, the Excise Department conducted a raid in the Satsang Vihar Chhak Lane area under Saheed Nagar police station limits. During the operation, officials seized 215 grams of brown sugar from the possession of an accused identified as Sameer Kumar Pradhan.

In the second raid, the Excise team conducted an operation behind the Unit-IV MLA Colony under Kharavel Nagar police station limits. Officials reportedly caught Ashutosh Bharati while allegedly selling the contraband and seized 175 grams of brown sugar from his possession.

In the third operation, the Excise Department raided the Mahisakhal area and seized another 100 grams of brown sugar from a person identified as B. Lingaraj Rao. A motorcycle was also seized during the operation.

Also Read: Odisha clears 63 industrial proposals to boost investment, jobs

The Excise Department arrested three people in connection with the three separate cases. The combined seizure amounted to 490 grams of brown sugar, with an estimated illegal market value of approximately Rs 60 lakh.

Authorities are continuing their enforcement drive to curb the drug trade and strengthen anti-narcotics operations across the capital ahead of the Diwali celebrations.