Balasore: The Special Task Force of state Crime Branch which has been investigating the drug smuggling racket of Mafioso SK Raja, has revealed that over 40 youths were part of this cartel. Besides, Raja’s sister-in-law, a few police officials and lawyers were associated with the racket.
Sk Raja was arrested by the STF in Khandagiri in Bhubaneswar September 16. He was produced in court and the STF had taken him on a seven-day remand for interrogation.
It is learnt that Raja who used to work as a hotel boy in Goa 12 years back later rose to notoriety as an international drug dealer. He has owned properties worth Rs 100 crore. His sister-in-law is said to have played a key role in dealing with the smuggling. She used provide advance information to Raja to flee the police as he had employed over 40 youths in the drug cartel.
Raja was smuggling drugs from Bengal, Nepal and Bangaldesh and supplying it to Balasore and other parts of the country, STF sources said. Sources said some police officials, political leaders and lawyers were conniving with the drug mafia.
The SRF said a two-storied building of Raja at Arada Bazaar was the hub of drug smuggling. CCTVs were fixed on the building so as to keep close watch on police officials, Excise ofificials and anti-drug squads.
Police and Excise officials used to raid frequently on drug traffickers at different times, but it was too difficult for them to catch the real culprits.
In the past few years, brown sugar trafficking in Balasore has taken away the sleep of the police and excise officials.
For over 12 years, Raja had been carrying out his illegal business. He was caught earlier, but his aides used to help him out.
After the arrest of Raja, the STF has been in the process of assessing his properties. Till now, the STF has detected his properties worth Rs 100 crore.
He has buildings at Galapola, Phuladi, Jaleswar and Kharagpur.
During a raid on his two-storied building at Masjid Gali, the STF had seized four CCTV cameras, two luxury cars and Rs 60,000.