Balasore: Cracking down on illegal drug trade, the district police today seized more than one kg brown sugar and detained three persons in connection with this in Sahadebkhunta area of Balasore district. The seizure took place after a police team raided a place in Adababazar this evening on basis of a tip-off.

Sources said the estimated value of the seized contraband item is more than Rs 1.5 crore. As part of the probe, police are questioning the three detainees about their modus operandi.

Though police have refused to comment on the incident, sources said a press meet will be held on Sunday where they will give the details.

It seems Balasore has become a safe haven for drug peddlers. Illegal drug was seized several times in the district in past while being smuggled from Balasore into Bhubaneswar and neighbouring states of Jharkhand and West Bengal.