Bhubaneswar, March 19 (NationPress) The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police has confiscated illicit brown sugar valued at Rs 72 lakh during operations conducted at two separate locations in Bhubaneswar, as reported by a senior police official on Wednesday.

Authorities have arrested five individuals and detained a juvenile on charges related to drug trafficking.

According to police sources, the Special Crime Unit (SCU) of the twin-city police intercepted and seized 448 grams of illegal brown sugar worth approximately Rs 45 lakhs during a carefully orchestrated operation near Loyala School Square in the Nayapalli area of Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

“Acting on reliable intelligence, the SCU team, under the leadership of a senior officer, conducted a raid at the site. During the search, authorities recovered the brown sugar from a backpack carried by the juvenile. His accomplice, S.K. Sohit, managed to flee the scene. The confiscated brown sugar was securely sealed and documented as evidence,” stated a senior police officer.

During their investigation, police established that the accused pair was part of a broader drug trafficking network, with connections to suppliers from West Bengal.

The duo had conspired to distribute the illegal substance to local dealers in Bhubaneswar. The juvenile has been detained and charged under Sections 21(c) and 29 of the NDPS Act for illegal possession and trafficking of brown sugar in a criminal conspiracy with the absconding S.K. Sohit.

Authorities have initiated a manhunt to capture the fleeing suspect. In a separate operation, the day patrol unit of Maitri Vihar Police Station apprehended five habitual drug dealers near Hatiasuni under the Maitrivihar Police Station on Wednesday.

The police seized brown sugar weighing 270 grams valued at Rs 27 lakh, along with a four-wheeler, a scooter, four mobile devices, and Rs 14,500 in cash from the arrested individuals.