Bhadrak: In a major crackdown on cattle smuggling mafia, Odisha police on Tuesday carried out simultaneous raids at 32 locations in Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts.
According to sources, lakhs of rupees in cash, jewellery, weapons, and vehicles were seized from properties linked to suspected smugglers during the coordinated operation, supervised by senior officials, including DIG (eastern range) Pinak Mishra on the instruction of DGP YB Khurania.
“The raids were conducted on the basis of intelligence inputs. Around 18 platoons of police, including eight additional SPs, 17 DSP-rank officers and 25 inspectors, were engaged in the search operation in the entire range. Rs So far, Rs 50 lakh in cash, huge quantities of gold and silver ornaments, weapons, and vehicles, both four-wheelers & two-wheelers, used for illegal transportation of cattle have been seized,” Mishra told a press briefing.
The DIG further stated that weapons and firearms have been recovered at some places, pointing at a well-greased organised network involved in the illegal trade. Details of the seizure will be provided once the raids conclude, he added.
In Bhadrak, raids are being carried out at eight locations including two places in Santhia, Nangamahala in Puruna Bazaar, Alarpur and three places at Gujidarada. Around six platoons of police force have been deployed, including two DSPs and 10 Inspectors, besides OSF jawans and IICs of the nearby police stations during the searches.
Speaking to the media Bhadrak SP Manoj Kumar Rout said that cattle mafia Bhalla was apprehended while attempting to flee Alarpur. “Some of the accused have been detained and those who have fled would be nabbed soon. The raids will continue,” he added.
Reports indicate seizures of over Rs 20 lakh in cash, along with gold, weapons, including swords and a firearm, and other items. Six persons were detained in the district.
Similarly, Balasore police is carrying out simultaneous raids at around nine locations, including Balasore city, two places at Soro, Bahanaga and Jaleswar since midnight. Police officials confirmed the seizure of multiple vehicles used for cattle transportation, along with substantial cash, valuables, electronic gadgets, and ornaments.
“Persons suspected of being involved in illegal cattle trade have been held. We will arrest them after verifying their involvement,” said Balasore SP Pratyush Diwakar.
Four persons have been detained in the district.
He added that nine teams were involved in the searches and further investigations would probe links to inter-state smuggling networks.
In Mayurbhanj district, raids covered 15 locations linked to cow smuggling suspects, including Rairangpur, Bangriposi, Jharpokharia, Saraskana, and Baisinga. Four-five persons have reportedly been detained and around Rs 11 lakh cash, gold worth Rs 10 lakh, six four-wheelers and five motorcycles have been seized.
