Three Held With 32 Grams of Brown Sugar in Khordha ;

Scooty, two mobile phones seized; police probe suspected local drug supply network.

Dillip Kumar Pattnaik

KHORDHA, SEPTEMBER 22: Three persons were arrested by personnel of the Model Police Station in Khordha on Monday for their alleged involvement in the illegal possession and peddling of brown sugar, following a raid near the New NH Road at Gurujanga.
Police seized around 32 grams of brown sugar, estimated to be worth approximately ₹3.20 lakh, besides an electric scooty and two mobile phones from the possession of the accused.
According to police sources, the raid was conducted after the police received specific information that a group of suspected drug peddlers had gathered near the New NH Road at Gurujanga and were allegedly dividing the contraband into small packets for distribution among local consumers, including youths.
Acting on the direction of Khordha SP Parmar Smit Parshottamdas and under the supervision of SDPO Pankaj Kumar Majhi, a team from the Model Police Station proceeded to the spot and conducted a search operation. Official witnesses and an Executive Magistrate were reportedly present during the seizure and subsequent proceedings.
During the operation, police intercepted three persons travelling together on a single scooty and detained them for questioning. They were identified as Nanda Kishore Sahoo alias Nandu (26) of Kochilakanasahi under Gurujanga village, Sankara Bhoi (26) of Bhoisahi, Gurujanga, and Santanu Mishra (23) of HB Colony, Gurujanga. All three are residents within the jurisdiction of Model Police Station, Khordha.
Police said 32 grams of brown sugar was recovered from Nanda Kishore Sahoo. An unregistered Yakuza electric scooty allegedly used by the accused and two mobile phones were also seized for further examination.
In connection with the seizure, police registered Model Police Station Case No. 579/2026 under Sections 21(b) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The three accused were subsequently arrested and forwarded to the court at Khordha.
Police have launched a further investigation to ascertain the source of the suspected brown sugar, identify its intended recipients and establish whether other individuals are involved in the alleged supply chain. The mobile phones seized during the operation are also expected to be examined as part of the investigation to trace possible contacts and transactions linked to the suspected drug network.
The seizure is part of the continuing anti-narcotics operations being undertaken by Khordha Police to check the circulation of illicit drugs in the district. Police officials said sustained enforcement and surveillance are being carried out to prevent narcotic substances from reaching local communities and vulnerable sections, particularly young people.