Joda Police in Keonjhar arrested three individuals on charges of illegal possession and trafficking of brown sugar (heroin) during a routine patrolling operation on Wednesday.
The arrested persons have been identified as Ritu Ansari from Sahebganj district in Jharkhand, Debabrata Barik from Guali area under Rugudi police station, and Sirapani Munda from Loidapada area under the same police station. This marks the first instance of brown sugar seizure in the Joda police station limits, officials said.
Acting on suspicion, patrolling officer Alok Parida stopped a Bolero Camper vehicle (registration number OD-09EI-0089) near Kandara Chhak around 5 PM. Upon thorough interrogation and search, police recovered approximately 2 grams of brown sugar from the occupants.
Along with the contraband, police seized the Bolero Camper vehicle, three mobile phones, and a total of Rsc 18,200 in cash.
Joda Police Station IIC Prashant Kumar Samal confirmed the arrests and stated that a case (No. 22/2026) has been registered under relevant sections of the NDPS Act. The accused were produced in court on Thursday.
Samal added that further investigation is underway to trace the source of the brown sugar and identify any larger network involved.
