Odisha Police Bust Massive Cattle Smuggling Racket; New ‘On-Foot’ Modus Operandi Exposed
BHUBANESWAR: In a major breakthrough against organized animal trafficking, the Odisha Police have intercepted a massive cattle smuggling operation, rescuing over 300 cattle and arresting 11 individuals. The operation, which spanned several districts in Northern Odisha, has revealed a significant shift in the tactics used by smugglers to evade law enforcement.
The New Modus Operandi
Traditionally, cattle smugglers utilized modified trucks, containers, or vehicles disguised as transporting essential goods. However, following intensified police surveillance on state and national highways, the syndicate has switched to a more primitive but stealthy method: moving cattle on foot.
The smugglers were caught driving over 300 cows through forest routes and secondary paths along National Highway 49 in the Mayurbhanj district, heading toward West Bengal. By walking the animals across district borders, the traffickers hoped to avoid the “vehicle checkpoints” that have recently led to numerous seizures.
Key Arrests and Seizures
The crackdown was bolstered by local residents in Bangiriposi, who noticed the suspicious movement of the large herd and alerted the authorities. The 11 arrested individuals hail from the Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Keonjhar districts.
The investigation has also targeted the financial “kingpins” behind the trade. Significant developments include:
Raids on Masterminds: Police raided the properties of alleged kingpin Surjit Mohanty and another key operative, Sheikh Tajuddin (alias Rajan).
Massive Recovery: Authorities seized over ₹1.85 crore in cash, more than 1 kg of gold, and several luxury items, including high-end watches and a BMW car.
Vehicle Seizures: 23 four-wheelers and 23 two-wheelers used in the network were confiscated.
Financial Scrutiny: Police are currently investigating approximately 50 bank accounts and 20 lockers to dismantle the economic backbone of the syndicate.
A Broader Crackdown on Cattle Smuggling
This recent operation is part of a wider, intensified campaign by Odisha and neighboring state authorities to curb illegal cattle transport. Over the last year, there has been a significant surge in law enforcement activity targeting these syndicates:
Economic Offense Tracking: Police are no longer just treating these cases as animal cruelty but as major organized crimes. Charges are now being filed under economic offense provisions to freeze assets acquired through smuggling.
Interstate Coordination: Authorities are investigating cross-border links involving West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, and even potential international routes into Bangladesh.
High-Stakes Confrontations: The crackdown follows violent incidents in 2025 where smugglers attempted to run over police personnel during vehicle checks. This led to the formation of specialized task forces and the use of drones and intelligence-gathering to track “on-foot” movements.
A senior police official stated that the goal is now “total dismantlement.” By targeting the financial assets—estimated to be worth several crores—authorities aim to ensure the syndicate cannot regroup.
The rescued cattle have been moved to local shelters (Goshalas) while the 11 accused remain in custody awaiting court proceedings.
