Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force (STF) of the Crime Branch Monday arrested a dreaded criminal who is suspected to be the kingpin of illegal drugs trade in Odisha. The accused, Sk Raja, 29, is a resident of Gala Pola near Arada Bazar area under Sahadebkhunta police station in Balasore.
According to sources, Raja was arrested Sunday night from Bhubaneswar. The STF in a press note has termed him as the kingpin of drugs trade in state who has been wanted by Balasore police and the STF in various cases under the NDPS Act and Arms Act.
Three of his associates, Sk Azbahar, Sk Azad and Ramakanta Sahu, are currently in the judicial custody. They were arrested July 15 in the case (12/19) under section 21(b) of the NDPS act and Sections 25, 27 of the Arms Act. The STF also seized 130 gram of brown sugar, one country-made pistol and one Renault Kwid car from their possession.
The STF has been on the lookout to nab kingpin Raja after coming to know about him during interrogation of his aides. The STF seized one 7.65 mm bored pistol loaded with live ammunition, cash of Rs 1 lakh, six mobile phones, some ATM cards and other incriminating materials.
The STF, through initial interrogation of Raja, succeeded in establishing his links with inter-state narcotic business. The STF also suspects that Raja has links with international drug cartel. He was also found visiting foreign destinations that are known for drug trading.
Raja was allegedly supplying contrabands to customers in Khurda and other districts of the state. He also supplied drugs to customers in West Bengal, Goa, Rajasthan and Nepal. The STF has been verifying his links with Bangladeshi drug peddlers. The STF Monday produced him a special court here seeking seven days’ remand to interrogate him further.
