Koraput Police made a major breakthrough in their ongoing anti-crime drive by arresting five gang members and invoking the National Security Act (NSA) against a notorious offender.
On October 14, Padwa Police registered Case No. 114/2025 under the NDPS and Arms Acts. Subsequently, acting on a tip-off, SI Surendra Kumar Sethi and his team intercepted a Mahindra Bolero transporting ganja from Dokanput to Pottangi. Although the driver attempted to flee, police stopped the vehicle after a high-speed chase. Moreover, one accused pointed a pistol at officers, but the team overpowered all five without injury.
As a result, police arrested Lal Bahadur Darjee (34), Trinath Khara (30), Suresh Bisoi alias Buda (22), Sanjaya Khara (19), and Jogesh Khara (20), all from Machhkund and Jeypore. Notably, Darjee, a veteran ganja mafia, faced over 20 serious cases under the POCSO and NDPS Acts and had multiple non-bailable warrants.
In addition to the arrests, officers seized 350 kg of ganja, two pistols—one brown marked “AUTO DISTAL MADE IN USA” and one golden with a magazine—along with mobile phones, ID documents, and cash.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation, police invoked NSA against Hrudananda Nayak alias Prince (35), who had 17 cases involving extortion, dacoity, and NDPS violations. His criminal activities had long terrorized Jeypore, Boriguma, and Nabarangpur.
Furthermore, Koraput Police continue their anti-crime drive with more arrests expected. They also plan to send a team to Bihar to trace backward linkages in the ganja network. Additionally, the newly launched anti-extortion helpline in Jeypore, supervised by SDPO Parth Kashyap, IPS, has received strong public support and helped police nab several antisocial elements.
Ultimately, this crackdown reinforces Koraput Police’s commitment to dismantling organized crime and restoring public safety.