Bhubaneswar: Jagatpur Police in Odisha’s Cuttack district unearthed an inter-state arms smuggling syndicate, resulting in the arrest of three individuals and the confiscation of four country-made guns. The operation, conducted with meticulous planning, also led to the seizure of 12 live bullets and three mobile phones from the possession of the apprehended suspects.
The decisive action came in response to a tip-off received on Sunday evening, prompting ACP Zone 1 Arun Swain to assemble a specialized team comprising Jagatpur police personnel and members of the Special Squad, Cuttack. These units initiated raids and search operations across various localities, culminating in the successful apprehension of the perpetrators.
The initial arrest of Babua alias Prakash Behera, a known criminal, yielded a 9 mm pistol and three live bullets. Subsequent interrogation uncovered a clandestine network operating from Munger district in Bihar. Based on Babua’s disclosures, authorities swiftly arrested Pintu alias Pyari Mohan Das, hailing from Jagatsinghpur district, and his accomplice Mihir Kumar Ray. From Pintu’s possession, two firearms and seven live bullets were recovered, while Mihir was found in possession of another firearm and two live bullets.
Efforts to dismantle the syndicate are ongoing, with authorities identifying two additional members who remain at large. Raids are underway to apprehend them, with a specialized team from UPD Cuttack set to launch an investigation in Munger, Bihar, to unravel the syndicate’s operations at its source.
The accused, Babua and Pintu, carry a substantial criminal record, with Babua facing 10 cases and Pintu a staggering 19 cases registered against them across different police stations. As the investigation progresses, the arrested individuals will be subjected to rigorous interrogation to extract further information and ensure that justice is served.
