Rayagada: Acting on a tip-off on gemstone smuggling, a Special Task Force (STF) of state Crime Branch seized precious gemstones worth over Rs1 crore and arrested a person in this connection, Monday.
The seizure took place during a raid at a house in Jagannath Complex in the town. A five-member team of the STF accompanied by Town police station officials raided the house and seized two sacks full of gemstones weighing 151 kg from the dickey of a car (OD18 G 3355).
The seized gemstones of various colours and sizes comprises of emerald (panna), ruby (manikya), topaz, hessonite (gomed) and black diamonds. The market price of these gemstones is stated to be over Rs1 crore.
The sleuths also detained a person, Jitendra Kumar Behera from Bijabandali village under Ambadala police limits in the district. The raided house was of Behera. Behera will be arrested after completion of interrogation, sources said.
Rayagada SP Saravana Vivek M said that Jitendra has been staying in Rayagada town for past three years. A case was registered in the Town police station and further investigation is on.
PNN