In a swift, intelligence-driven operation that has sent shockwaves through the local drug network, Chhendipada Police, backed by the Special Squad of Angul district, have busted a major brown sugar racket and arrested five persons red-handed.
Acting on specific inputs about illegal possession and sale of narcotics, a joint police team swung into action on Monday and intercepted the accused.
The haul was immediate and significant: 11.590 grams (gross weight) of brown sugar, ₹15,370 in cash suspected to be drug proceeds, 27 paper chits linked to transactions, two OPPO Android mobile phones, and one Royal Enfield motorcycle (registration OD-19-AD-0476).
A case has been registered at Chhendipada Police Station as Case No. 291 of 2026 under Sections 21(b) and 29 of the NDPS Act.
The Accused
The five arrested and forwarded to court are:
- Papun Sahu (26), S/o Dillip Sahu, Village Kosala (Gaikhaisahi), Chhendipada
- Sandip Pradhan @ Khitu (34), S/o Ashok Ranjan Pradhan, Village Kansanali, Chhendipada
- Deepak Pradhan (36), S/o Kailash Pradhan, Village Rajkishorepada, Angul (Supplier)
- Kajal Parwin (27), D/o Sheikh Soukat, Village Rajkishorepada, Angul (Supplier)
- Kuresa Bibi (52), W/o S.K. Sakil, Village Amalapada, 5th Lane, Angul (Supplier)
How the Operation Unfolded
The raid was executed under the direct supervision of Inspector D.M. Biswal. The team comprised ASI Susanta Dehury, Constable Narendra Pradhan, OAPF Bodhan Adha, Constable Deepak Gara Naik, and OAPF Daitari Pradhan.
SI Jagadish Jena of Chhendipada Police Station is leading the investigation. Police sources say further probes are already underway to map the entire supply chain — both forward linkages to street-level peddlers and backward linkages to bigger suppliers.
The accused will be produced before the court today as the investigation gathers momentum.
