Sambalpur: A special squad of police Monday arrested a person involved in arms smuggling and produced him in a local court.
Police also seized five pistols and 12 live bullets from accused Mohammad Jahin Khan alias Tiku of Dalepada under Town police limits, DIG-northern range Satyabrata Bhoi told reporters at a press meet here.
Acting on a tip-off, SP Sanjib Arora formed a special squad comprising Lokesh Sahoo and Suresh Sahoo to bust the racket.
The squad nabbed the accused near Sindurapank forest gate and seized from his bike’s case a 9 mm Italy-made pistol, a semi-automatic pistol, two single shot guns, a double barrel single shot pistol and 12 bullets. Police also seized two mobile phones and the bike from his possession.
Tiku had earlier three criminal cases against his name in Town police station and another in Redhakhol police station.
According to police, Sambalpur district has turned a den for criminals from other states. The guns manufactured in Bihar are being sold in this district as the criminals of both the states always remain in touch. Each gun is sold at something between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000, police said.
The squad has identified other members of the racket of other states and they would soon be behind the bars. Similarly, the influx of criminals of other states would also be checked, DIG Bhoi said.
Arms smuggling had been going on in the town for a long period with citizens drawing the attention of the police towards the issue, said locals. All illegal arms can be seized with such frequent operations, they added.
