Berhampur: In a major crackdown on illegal arms and organised crime, Ganjam police arrested 18 persons and seized 17 illegal firearms along with 66 rounds of live ammunition during a special overnight drive.
The operation, led by Ganjam SP Shubendu Kumar Patra, was carried out in areas under Asika, Sheragada, Kotianda, Bhanjanagar and Polasara police limits. It was part of a preventive policing initiative.
The arrested individuals include members of an organised crime syndicate. It is being suspected that the seized weapons were procured from outside Odisha.
“We had information about illegal weapons being supplied in the district, which could have been misused by criminals. Accordingly, the raids were conducted and 17 illegal firearms along with 66 rounds of live ammunition were seized. Six cases have been registered. Further investigation is underway to identify the source of these weapons and whether these were delivered in other districts of the state,” the SP told a presser.
He further stated that special teams will soon be sent to other states to identify the suppliers and dismantle the supply chain.
