Jharsuguda: Police here, under its special drive ‘Operation Netra’, on Saturday busted an inter-district drug network and arrested seven people for allegedly possessing and selling brown sugar (heroin). Police identified the accused as Abhiranga Roy alias Chhotu (32) of Beheramal Industrial Estate, Chhotu Sa (25) of Sapada under Badmal police station limits, Gudu Gond alias Suria (32) of Buromal, Shantinagar, Bhagirathi Meher alias Bhaga (32), originally from Limesar in Kalahandi district and presently residing at Buromal, Avinash Behera alias Suru (28) of Mangalbazar, Fardeen Khan alias Raja (23) of Rourkela and Santa Bhadur Thapa alias Sanjay (43) of Rourkela.Acting on intelligence inputs about illegal transportation and sale of contraband substances, a special team was formed under the supervision of senior officers. The team intercepted the suspects at a strategic location within the jurisdiction of Jharsuguda police station and recovered 12.48 grams of brown sugar from their possession.Police said the seizure was carried out in the presence of an executive magistrate and independent witnesses, following due procedure under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Seven mobile phones, a red-coloured pouch, Rs 1,550 in cash, a plastic mat, gift-wrapping paper, three plastic spoons and one scissor were also seized.Jharsuguda SP G.R. Raghavendra Said, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were part of an inter-district drug trafficking network. They allegedly procured the contraband from one location and supplied it in another district for monetary gain, reportedly targeting vulnerable youth. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.”
