Balasore: The Balasore police on Monday arrested three persons and seized contraband ganja, firearms, ammunition and vehicles during a midnight operation near Tamulia bridge under Sadar police station limits.The arrested trio was identified as Manoj Das alias Kalia (27) of Bhoisahi in Balasore town; Raju alias Gangadhar Das (38) of Tundra under Khantapada police station limits and Bhagban Padhi (31) of Srijang in Khantapada area.Acting on intelligence inputs, a team from sadar police station conducted a raid. The operation led to the seizure of 4.577 kg of ganja, three pistols, a country-made gun, 14 live bullets and sharp weapons. Police also seized three two-wheelers and cash amounting to Rs 5,000. The contraband was allegedly concealed in a gunny bag kept on a scooter.According to the police, Manoj was found in possession of ganja, cash, a scooter and sharp weapons. Raju was allegedly carrying a country-made pistol, a live bullet and a motorcycle. Bhagban was apprehended with a scooter, a pistol, six live bullets and a cell phone. Preliminary investigation suggests that Bhagban was actively involved in supplying firearms and ammunition to criminal networks in the district.The accused have been booked under Sections 20(b)(ii)(B) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and Sections 25 and 27 of The Arms Act, 1959 (amended in 2019).Balasore SP Shri Pratyush Diwaker said the search and seizure were conducted in the presence of an executive magistrate and independent witnesses in accordance with provisions of the NDPS Act. The seized items have been sealed and marked as evidence.Further investigation revealed that the trio was allegedly operating a ganja trade in Balasore town while also engaging in illegal arms transactions. Police records indicate that Bhagban has previous criminal cases registered against him under various sections of the IPC, including attempt to murder and criminal intimidation, Diwaker added.
