Khordha: The Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha Crime Branch seized 320 grams of brown sugar worth over Rs 25 lakh in Jankia area of Khordha district and arrested a drug peddler in this connection.

According to reports, the accused, identified as Akhaya Baliarsingh of Orabarsingh in the district, was striking a deal for the sale of the brown sugar when the STF, acting on a tip-off, reached the spot and apprehended him. The drug was sourced from Jaleswar in Balasore district.

Besides the brown sugar, the agency also seized 80 grams of gold from his possession. A case has been registered at the Jankia Police Station under Sections 21 (c)/29 of NDPS Act while further investigation was underway.

The STF has so far seized 23.593 kg of brown sugar, detected 26 cases, and arrested 50 drug peddlers, this year.