Five Arrested in Jeypore Drug Bust; 650 Pentazocine Injections Seized

Jeypore: In a major crackdown on illegal drug trafficking, Jeypore Town Police on Sunday arrested five persons allegedly involved in narcotics peddling and seized a large quantity of contraband during a raid conducted on Canal Road.

The accused have been identified as Debasis Patnaik (29) of Saura Sahi, Tapas Saha (29) of Parabeda, Ram Harijan (34) of Dengaguda, Pradeep Khara alias Roni (25) of Christian Peta, and Suraj Kumar Gupta alias Sonu (29) of Purunagada.

According to police, the operation was launched following specific intelligence inputs received on May 30 regarding illegal drug trading activities in the area. Acting on the information, a police team carried out a raid and apprehended the five accused while they were allegedly engaged in the sale of narcotic substances.

During the search, conducted in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and other government officials, police seized 650 Pentazocine injections packed in 15 packets, ₹15,000 in cash, and five mobile phones from the accused.

Officials said the accused failed to produce any valid documents or licences authorising possession of the seized substances.

Jeypore SDPO Archita Mittal stated that preliminary investigations indicate the involvement of an organised drug supply network. Police are now working to trace the source of the contraband and identify other individuals linked to the racket.

Investigators also revealed that two of the arrested persons, Ram Harijan and Suraj Kumar Gupta, had previously been involved in a similar NDPS case registered last year.

A case has been registered under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, and all five accused have been forwarded to court. Further investigation is underway.

Town Police Station IIC Ullasa Chandra Rout and Investigating Officer Govinda Hansda were present during the press briefing.