Three Held with Brown Sugar in Bargarh

Bargarh: Police in Bargarh district arrested three persons on charges of trafficking brown sugar during a raid on the outskirts of the town, officials said on Friday.

The accused have been identified as Raju Tandi (46) of Mahantipada under Bargarh Town Police Station limits, Gopi Mahanand (40) of Master Tikra, and Shrabana Kumbhar (22) of Bisipada.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs about suspected drug trafficking, a team from Bargarh Town Police conducted a surprise raid on the Brahmachari–Katapali road on the outskirts of Bargarh town. The trio was allegedly caught during the operation and taken into custody on the spot.

During the raid, police seized 16 grams of brown sugar, along with two mobile phones and ₹2,250 in cash from their possession.

Addressing a press conference at the Bargarh Town Police Station, Padarabinda Tripathi, SDPO of Bargarh, said the accused were engaged in illegal drug trafficking when the police team intercepted them.

Police said further investigation is underway to trace the source of the contraband and to ascertain whether the accused are linked to a wider drug trafficking network in the region.