By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: The Special Crime Unit has successfully executed Operation NIGHTHAWK, a targeted drive against illegal narcotics trade, resulting in the seizure of 130 kilograms of cannabis valued more than lakhs in the interstate market. The operation also led to the arrest of five accused individuals and the confiscation of two high-end vehicles, a Kia Seltos and a Honda Amaze.
Details of Operation NIGHTHAWK:
Seizure: As part of Operation NIGHTHAWK, 130 kilograms of cannabis were seized. The seized contraband carries an estimated market value of more than lakhs in the interstate market.
Arrests: Five individuals involved in the illegal narcotics trade have been apprehended. These arrests are a significant blow to the drug trafficking network operating across state borders. The name of the arrested persons:
- Pushpak Srichandan @ Jitu,Aged- 25 years S/o Padma Charan Srichandan, Vill-Bagheipur,PS-Jankia,Khurda (Owner of Honda Amaze), Education B Tech in ECE
- Milan Nayak @ Lipu,Aged-23, S/o Raghu Nayak , Vill- Siko,PS-Jankia,Khurda, Education-10th pass, 3. Sk Zamirullah @ Zamir,Aged-36 years, S/o Sk Zafrullah, Vill- Naipur,PS-Balichandrapur,Jajpur, Education 10th fail, Profession- Reels maker and video editor
- Ajmer Seikh @ Necbor,Aged-28 years , S/o Sk Siraj, Vill-Beluti,PS Nahoor,Dist-Birbhum,West Bengal, Profession-Business
- Sk Samir , Aged-39 years, S/o Sk Dholoo, Vill- Wardhaman,PO-Bajiaputapur,West Bengal, Profession- Business
Vehicles Seized: Two high-end vehicles, a Kia Seltos and a Honda Amaze, used in the transportation of the narcotics, were also seized during the operation. These vehicles were instrumental to the trafficking efforts and are now secured as evidence in the ongoing investigation. The details of the cars KIA SELTOS bearing Regd No OD-02-BQ-2999 and Honda Amaze bearing Regd No OD-02-CF-5129 along with five mobile phones used by the traffickers to perpetuate the crime
Operational Insights:
Operation NIGHTHAWK was launched following a series of intelligence-driven investigations aimed at dismantling organized drug trafficking networks. On 30.09.24 evening the Special Crime Unit received input regarding loading of huge quantity of Cannabis(Ganjei) from Tapanga area of Khurda, destined to be delivered in an unknown destination of West Bengal via a temporary transit point inside Bomikhal of Bhubaneswar. The SCU formed two teams to execute the operation and proceeded to Bomikhal and blocked the entry and exit of the suspected area where the transit point was suspected . As per prior information the vehicle was dispatched from Khurda at 11 Pm and after staying for a brief time in Bomikhal, the vehicles would move to West Bengal in the dawn to avoid police checking. The SCU meticulously planned and executed the operation, intercepting the traffickers at a critical juncture of their smuggling route in Bomikhal itself. The success of Operation NIGHTHAWK underscores the SCU’s strategic capabilities and commitment to curbing the narcotics menace.
Future Actions:
The investigation is currently underway to trace the full extent of the network involved in this illegal operation. The SCU will continue to interrogate the accused and follow leads to ensure that all individuals linked to this case are brought to justice. All the accused persons would be produced before the local magistrate today afternoon and the SCU will seek three days custodial interrogation of the accused persons to collect further evidence in this case. All financial aspects in this case would be investigated including funding, investments etc. Back tracking of each and every activities of the traffickers will be done in this case to establish chain of evidence.
