Bargarh: In a major success, Bargarh district police busted an interstate criminal gang involved in gun running and drug trafficking and arrested 15 accused, including three from Chhattisgarh.
Acting on a tip-off regarding the illegal transportation, possession, and sale of cough syrup and firearms, police launched an operation and deployed seven teams comprising officers from five police stations and a special squad to conduct simultaneous raids across the district. The raids led to the seizure of five pistols, 20 rounds of ammunition, 1,500 bottles of cough syrup, 16 mobile phones, and Rs 57,200 in cash.
The accused, hailing from Odisha and neighbouring states, were produced in court and sent to Bargarh district jail after their bail applications were rejected Monday. The arrested include Bablu Behera, 32, from Rajiv Nagar, Bolangir; Srikant Behera, 29, from Bhatli Chhak, Bargarh; Manish alias Kalu Agrawal, 30, from Ekamra Chhak, Bargarh Sadar; Pintu Sahu, 24, from Tenteltikra; Prafull Rana, 30, from Halditikra; Tushar Ballav Rautia, 31, from Sodhapali; Hariprasad Set, 26, from Kulundra; Bablu Satpathy, 37, from Dang, Bargarh; Ankul Bal, 30, from Ward 16, Bargarh Municipal Council; Hardeep Singh Sandhu, 28, from Telibandh, Chhattisgarh; MD Asraf, 26, from Telibandh, Chhattisgarh; Syed Ajim, 31, from Mursing village, Paikmal; Rashid Shah, 30, from Bhatudipasi village, Jajpur; Sambit Kumar Parija, 25, from Dhanua village, Tirtol; and Preetam Biswal, 30, from Tiknapur village, Patkura.
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Police have filed four separate cases against the gang across Bargarh Sadar, Bargarh Town, Attabira, and Bijepur police stations. Authorities said several of the accused had prior involvement in criminal cases and were linked to the illegal transport of cough syrup from Cuttack.
Bargarh Superintendent of Police Prahlad Sahai Meena said during a presser that a team from Bargarh Town police station first arrested three accused near Ganapati Hotel. Following interrogation, the remaining suspects were apprehended.
Further investigation is underway to trace the modus operandi and network of this interstate gang and identify their suppliers, associates, and distribution routes, Meena added. Police confirmed that the gang has a broader interstate network, and further arrests are expected as the investigation continues. SDPO Padarabind Tripathy was also present at the briefing.
PNN
