Massive Police Operation Targets Interstate Cattle Smuggling Network in Odisha
In a sweeping crackdown on organized cattle smuggling, the Odisha police launched simultaneous raids at 33 locations across Balasore, Bhadrak, and Mayurbhanj districts on Tuesday. The operation resulted in the detention of 12 individuals and the seizure of assets worth crores of rupees, including over Rs 46.01 lakh in cash, firearms, gold and silver jewellery, and numerous vehicles.
Coordinated Raids Uncover Vast Illegal Operations
The raids, conducted with the support of 18 platoons of police, specifically targeted members of a well-organized mafia allegedly involved in the illicit cattle trade. Authorities dismantled a significant smuggling network and rescued 32 cattle during the operation. In addition to the cash, police confiscated 1.857 kilograms of gold, 7.873 kilograms of silver, 25 four-wheelers, two three-wheelers, and 33 two-wheelers.
Further seizures included six swords, one toy gun, 70 bank passbooks, 20 ATM cards, 10 mobile phones, and 32 land records. Financial documents were also seized, providing crucial evidence of the illegal activities.
District-Wide Breakdown of Seizures and Detentions
In Balasore district, police raided nine locations under Balasore Town, Balasore Sadar, Soro, and Khaira police station limits. The operations yielded Rs 21.8 lakh in cash, 50 grams of gold, 1 kilogram of silver, and 13 four-wheelers. Additional items seized included four motorcycles, 13 bank passbooks, eight ATM cards, 10 mobile phones, and five land documents.
Mayurbhanj district saw raids at 15 locations across Baripada Sadar, Rairangpur, and Betnoti sub-divisions. Police recovered Rs 12.07 lakh in cash, 212 grams of gold, 2.64 kilograms of silver, seven four-wheelers, two three-wheelers, 23 motorcycles, 40 bank passbooks, and 23 land records. Six suspects were detained in this district, with police suspecting that the seized assets were acquired through illegal cattle trade.
In Bhadrak district, nine locations were raided under Purunabazar, Bhadrak Rural, Dhusuri, and Dhamnagar police station limits. From the residence of Gul Mohammad Khan in Gujidarada, police recovered Rs 12.13 lakh in cash, 1.5 kilograms of gold, and 4.23 kilograms of silver. Other seizures included five four-wheelers, six bikes, six swords, one toy gun, 17 bank passbooks, 12 ATM cards, and four land records. Six accused were detained here, with police identifying Nilakanthapur and Gujidarada as key hubs of the smuggling network.
Police Investigation Reveals Organized Criminal Pattern
Eastern range DIG Pinak Mishra stated that police had recently received multiple reports regarding illegal cattle transportation and theft, leading to the registration of several cases. He noted that a large number of cattle had been rescued and several people arrested in earlier actions, which prompted investigators to closely examine the pattern of operations.
The probe revealed that certain individuals were functioning in an organized manner and generating huge profits through such illegal activities. Mishra added that the raids were part of a sustained campaign to dismantle interstate cattle-smuggling networks and choke the financial backbone of the illegal trade.
This operation marks a significant step in curbing the rampant cattle smuggling that has plagued the region, with authorities aiming to sever the economic lifelines of these criminal enterprises.
