Police raided the house of a fake journalist in Patabhadi, Sonepur, recovering cough syrup, ganja, cash, and other materials linked to illegal activities.
The accused, identified as Shashank Mishra, lived on Haldipali Road in Patabhadi. During the raid, police seized 164 bottles of Winirex cough syrup, 2.8 kg of ganja, Rs 5.5 lakh cash, a branded air pistol, online payment scanners, and a weighing machine.
Officials revealed that Mishra used “Press” stickers on bikes and cars despite not being engaged in any recognised journalistic work. Police also recovered a boom microphone and an identity card bearing the name “Suchana Media.”
Superintendent of Police Narayan Nayak and Additional SP K.K. Hariprasad supervised the raid. The ganja was weighed, and the cough syrup bottles were counted in the presence of a magistrate. Police confirmed that the seized air pistol, though an air weapon, was manufactured by a reputed company and could pose a serious threat. The pistol will undergo forensic examination.
Investigators stated that Mishra misused journalistic identity to shield illegal activities. The raid exposed his involvement in narcotics and financial irregularities. Police said further investigation is underway to trace the network behind the seized materials.
