In a major drug haul, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Crime Branch on Saturday seized over 1 kg of brown sugar by arresting a BTech graduate allegedly involved in illegal narcotics trade in Khordha district.
The drug was recovered from the possession of the accused identified as Manoranjan Das. Sources said the estimated market value of the seized contraband is above `1 crore.
Das was arrested following a raid near the Kumabasta petrol pump in Khordha by a team of the STF.
STF sleuths nabbed the accused while he was trying to strike a deal of the narcotics. A case under Section 21(c), 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 has been registered against the accused. It might be mentioned here that a massive crackdown against the narcotics is ongoing by the Odisha police in the State. Major drug hauls like this can hit the supply chain of the drug cartels and can curb the surge in narcotics smuggling.
A specialised wing against organised crime, the STF has managed to arrest over 100 drug dealers and peddlers so far in such special operations in the last two years.
The unit has also seized more than 39 kg of brown sugar and 86 quintals of ganja. However, a major concern is the upsurge of drug use among university and college students. Educational institutions, are without doubt, the favourite places where illicit drugs are sold, shared and consumed.
It is alleged that there are also many students, who in order to make some quick money, act as agents of drug peddlers and devote their time for organising parties and lure more students into drugs trap.