Balasore: In a major breakthrough, a 20-member team of the central excise intelligence wing Wednesday seized brown sugar weighting 305 gm worth Rs 35 lakh from a house at Milbadi near Station Bazaar in Jaleswar area of Balasore district and arrested a person in this connection.
The accused has been identified as Sapan Kumar Pradhan. He was accused of peddling drugs in the area. A gun has been seized from him. According to excise officials, acting on a tip-off about the illegal activity, the officials raided the house early Wednesday morning.
A gun has been seized from his possession during the raid. Further investigation into the incident is under way.
Despite such raids, drug peddling has not been stopped in the district. Recently, international dug mafia was arrested. His arrest pointed to the spread of the illegal business amid reports that hooch and liquor have been flowing into the area from West Bengal.
The elusive kingpin of the drug racket, Sk Raj, was arrested by the STF of the Crime Branch September 16.
Drug peddling has been rampant at Phuladi, Chasakhand, Haladipada, Rupsa, Basta, Kadraiyan and Jaleswar areas.
Locals alleged that drug peddling pushed by a drug cartel in league with some excise and police officials.
A special squad has been formed on instruction from the IG and DIG to deal with drug smuggling and peddling issues.