Bhubaneswar Brown sugar worth Rs 34 lakh seized, three arrested

Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown against illegal drugs, the Bhubaneswar Excise Department on Monday arrested three people, including a woman, from the Mainshikhala Basti area opposite Rajiv Awas Yojna Apartments, Block 2, and seized 340 grams of brown sugar worth ₹3.4 million (approximately $3.4 million).

The accused have been identified as Ramesh Sethi (26), Simanchala Gowda (33), and Mamta Das (41). According to sources, the Excise Department received a credible tip about brown sugar smuggling in the area.

A team led by Inspector Nabasmita Nayak of Excise Range-1 intercepted the suspects, who tried to flee but were apprehended. Mamta later arrived at the scene and intervened, allowing officers to search them.

A total of 340 grams of brown sugar was seized from the three accused. They were arrested and produced in court. Bhubaneswar’s Deputy Superintendent of Excise, Raj Shekhar Swain, said, “Narcotic peddlers are active in the Mainshikhala Basti area. In the last two months, we have arrested 5-6 peddlers from this area and presented them in court.”

In another incident, Khandagiri police arrested four people on Monday for selling brown sugar near the Bhuasuni Temple on AIIMS Road on the outskirts of the city.

Police also seized 20 grams of the banned substance and two motorcycles used in this illegal trade.

The accused have been identified as Arun Patra (19), Shakti Narayan Nanda (27), Jagannath Sahu (29), and Dasharathi Dalei (26).

According to police sources, the IIC of Khandagiri police station had received specific information about illegal drug trafficking in the area.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team raided the area and apprehended the accused on the spot. The police have registered a case against the accused under Section 21(b) of the NDPS Act and produced them in the court.