The Odisha Excise Department carried out a major drug bust, arresting two drug peddlers and seizing brown sugar worth Rs 16.5 Lakh in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
The accused have been identified as Litendra Behera and D. Seemadri Reddy, who were reportedly using a Bullet motorcycle to transport narcotics across the city. Acting on a tip-off, the excise team set up a trap near Megheswar Temple, where a drug transaction was believed to be taking place. Both suspects were apprehended on the spot, and the motorcycle along with the contraband was seized.
Authorities revealed that the duo is part of a larger network of brown sugar smugglers operating in and around Bhubaneswar. Investigations are ongoing to trace the origin of the narcotics and identify other individuals involved in the racket.
This operation is part of a state-wide crackdown on narcotics, as Odisha faces a concerning rise in synthetic drug use, particularly among the youth. Earlier this year, the Odisha Crime Branch had seized 319 grams of brown sugar worth Rs 31 Lakh and arrested a drug peddler on June 10 near the Kuakhai River, highlighting the intensified efforts by law enforcement agencies.
