In a significant crackdown, the Srikakulam district police have apprehended five individuals for illegal possession of a firearm in a village in Andhra Pradesh. The operation led to the seizure of a country-made pistol and other crucial evidence.
Details of the Arrest and Seizure
The police action unfolded in Tandyamvalasa village under the jurisdiction of the Srikakulam district. According to District Police Chief KV Maheshwara Reddy, the arrested accused have been identified as P Kailash (25), A Mani (32), K Uma Maheswara Rao (30), V Prasanth Kumar (31), and T Karthik (33).
The law enforcement team successfully intercepted the group while Kailash was allegedly in the process of handing over the illegal weapon to the four other accused. This transaction was taking place at an under-construction house, which the group was presumably using as a covert meeting spot.
Weapon Source and Criminal Intent
Preliminary investigations conducted by the police have shed light on the source of the firearm. It was revealed that the prime accused, P Kailash, along with an associate named Gopi, procured the country-made pistol and its magazine from a supplier known as Santhosh. This supplier is based in Brahmapur, Odisha, indicating an inter-state dimension to the case.
The police stated that the clear intention behind acquiring the weapon was to commit serious crimes. The timely intervention by the Srikakulam police likely prevented potential unlawful activities that could have endangered public safety.
Items Recovered from the Accused
The police have confiscated several items from the arrested individuals, which will serve as key evidence in the legal proceedings. The seized articles include:
- One country-made pistol
- One magazine for the firearm
- Four mobile phones
The recovery of mobile phones is particularly significant for the investigation, as it may help authorities uncover the network of the accused and their communication regarding the illicit arms deal and planned crimes.
Police Statement and Ongoing Probe
District Police Chief KV Maheshwara Reddy commended the police team for their swift action. He emphasized that the Srikakulam police are maintaining a strict vigil to curb illegal activities and the flow of unlawful weapons in the region. The police are now deepening their investigation to trace the entire supply chain of the illegal firearm, including apprehending the supplier from Odisha and the associate Gopi, who is currently at large.
This arrest underscores the continued efforts of the Andhra Pradesh police to tackle the menace of illegal arms and organized crime, ensuring the safety and security of citizens in the district.
