Inter-State drug peddler held from Balasore in Odisha, 1380 gm brown sugar seized

Balasore: A team of STF Crime Branch Bhubaneswar along with their counterparts in Balasore nabbed an inter-State drug peddler from the district here today. The accused was identified as Sk Rafiq alias Ruga.

Sources said Rafiq hailed from Panchkula, West Bengal but was at present residing at Masjidgali near Railway Level Crossing, Aradabazaar in Sahadevkhunta area of the district from where he was apprehended. During search, brown sugar weighing around 1380 gm  and other incriminating materials were recovered and seized from his possession. Rafiq could not produce any valid documents in support of possession  of the contraband and was hence arrested. He has been booked under section 21(c)/29 of the NDPS Act 1985 and produced in court. Further investigation is underway, police informed.

Rafiq was earlier involved in three other criminal cases including narcotics trade in Balasore district.

“Special drive against narcotic drugs is underway. Since 2020, STF has seized more than 57 kg of brown sugar/heroine, 202 gm cocaine and more than 111 quintal ganja/marijuana, 750 gm opium while arresting more than 158 drug peddlers,” police said.