Two Arrested with Brown Sugar Worth 20 Lakh in Jajpur .
Jajpur,23/10(PPT): Jajpur police have arrested two persons and seized 200 grams of suspected brown sugar, estimated to be worth 20 lakh in the illicit market, during a crackdown on narcotics trafficking in the district. The police also seized 4,700 in cash, three mobile phones, five bank passbooks and five ATM cards. Five bank accounts allegedly linked to suspected narcotics-related financial transactions have been frozen as part of the investigation.
Jajpur Superintendent of Police Yash Pratap Shrimal, IPS, briefed the media at Kuakhia police station on Friday regarding the operation. Inspector-in-Charge of Kuakhia police station Susanta Kumar Sethy was also present at the press meet.
According to the police, the operation was conducted on October 22 following credible intelligence inputs. A special squad of Jajpur police, in coordination with Kuakhia police, carried out raids within the police station limits. The case was registered as Kuakhia police station Case No. 437/2026, dated October 22, under Sections 21(b) and 29(1) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, subject to legal verification.
The arrested persons have been identified as Nishikanta Mallik, 46, of Gangadharpur village under Rajendrapur gram panchayat, and Satyaranjan Sahu, 35, of Karjanga village under the same gram panchayat in Jajpur district. Police said Mallik was wanted in two previous NDPS cases registered at Kuakhia police station in June this year. A non-bailable warrant had reportedly been issued against him in one of the cases.
Investigators suspect that Sahu handled financial transactions linked to the alleged narcotics activities. An examination of suspected online financial transactions led the police to identify and freeze five bank accounts. The police are investigating the alleged roles of both accused and examining possible links with a wider drug distribution and financial network.
The seized articles include 200 grams of suspected brown sugar, cash amounting to ₹4,700, three mobile phones, five bank passbooks and five ATM cards. The estimated illicit-market value of the seized contraband is ₹20 lakh, according to the police. The substance’s forensic identification and the valuation are subject to confirmation.
Both accused are to be produced before the competent court in accordance with the law. Further investigation is under way to establish the source of the contraband, trace its distribution network and identify other persons who may be involved.
The operation forms part of the police campaign under “Nasha Mukta Abhiyan”, “Nasha Mukta Odisha” and “Nasha Mukta Bharat”, aimed at curbing drug trafficking and substance abuse. Jajpur police reiterated their commitment to dismantling narcotics networks and strengthening efforts to build a drug-free district.“Breaking Drug Networks. Building a Drug-Free Jajpur,” the police said.