The brown sugar trade continues to thrive in Sambalpur city despite repeated police efforts to curb it. On Thursday, Dhanupali police arrested a notorious criminal, 23-year-old Armaan Khan from Kumbharpada, during a drug transaction near Doordarshan Kendra close to Deor Park.
Acting on a tip-off, a special team led by Dhanupali IIC Aditya Mahakud apprehended Armaan and seized 15.58 grams of brown sugar, a country-made knife, and a mobile phone from him.
Armaan, son of Gulab Khan—who is currently imprisoned for murder—has an extensive criminal record with 31 cases registered in various Sambalpur police stations. His charges include knife attacks, extortion, robbery, ganja smuggling, and illegal possession of firearms. He entered the crime world as a minor in 2019 and was recently released from jail.
Police sources reveal that 16 of his cases are registered with Dhanupali police station alone, followed by others in Town PS, Burla, Khetrarajpur, and Ainthapali. He was already under surveillance for suspected drug peddling.
During questioning, Armaan admitted the brown sugar was sourced from West Bengal during the harvest season. Investigations are ongoing to trace his network and possible links to larger drug operations.
A day prior to Armaan’s arrest, Dhanupali police apprehended two other dealers, Vinod Badi and Vinod Topno, trading 14.51 grams of brown sugar near Bhagbatgudi in Kumbharpada. Police also seized mobile phones, a Nikon camera, and Rs1,750 in cash from them.
In just two days, police have seized 30.09 grams of brown sugar, adding to the 87.3 grams seized in September. So far, 13 peddlers have been arrested in recent operations, signaling intensified action against the growing drug menace in Sambalpur.
