The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police today launched Operation “Prahara,” targeting narcotics trafficking in the Twin City area ahead of the festive season.
The operation kicked off with a high-intensity raid in the early hours, resulting in the arrest of two professional drug peddlers and the seizure of a significant quantity of brown sugar, a firearm, and ammunition.
Acting on credible intelligence, a team from the Infocity Police Station conducted a raid at Chirgalatola Basti in Bhubaneswar around 1:30 AM on Sunday. The operation targeted the residence of Sheikh Masum, a known figure in the local drug trade. During the raid, police apprehended Sheikh Masum and his associate, Chhotu Mandal, both residents of Chirgalatola Basti. The search yielded 45 grams of brown sugar, valued at over ₹4.5 lakh in the black market, along with an illegal 7.65mm country-made pistol, four live rounds of ammunition, and a mobile phone.
According to police sources, Sheikh Masum has a notorious criminal record, with seven cases registered against him across Kharavela Nagar, Infocity, and Mahila police stations. Chhotu Mandal, his accomplice, faces three cases at the Infocity Police Station alone. The arrests mark a significant breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to dismantle drug networks in the city.
Operation “Prahara” underscores the Commissionerate Police’s commitment to cracking down on narcotics trafficking, particularly as the festive season approaches, when such activities tend to spike. Authorities have intensified raids across various police station jurisdictions in the Twin City area, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to drug-related crimes.
The seized contraband and weapons have been sent for forensic analysis, and investigations are underway to uncover the supply chain and potential Godwin’s network linked to the peddlers. The police are interrogating the accused to identify other individuals involved in the racket.
