Barbil: Rugudi police in Keonjhar district seized five trucks allegedly involved in the illegal transportation of iron ore from the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) stockyard at Nuagaon Udalabadi early Monday morning. One person has been detained for questioning, while the truck drivers managed to flee the scene.
According to police sources, the operation was launched after receiving a tip-off about the illegal movement of iron ore from the OMC stockyard. When the police team reached the spot, several trucks loaded with iron ore attempted to flee. The drivers abandoned the vehicles and escaped, but police apprehended one suspect.
Five trucks were seized from the site. Police said two of the trucks were loaded with around 40 metric tonnes of iron ore each, while the remaining trucks were waiting to be loaded. A case (125/2025) has been registered at Rugudi police station, and an investigation is underway to trace others involved in the smuggling racket.
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Despite the presence of security personnel at the OMC stockyard, the incident has raised questions about possible internal involvement. Police said the investigation will also cover the role of mine officials and security staff to determine whether company insiders facilitated the illegal transport.
PNN
