Bhubaneswar cops seize illegal arms in city, arrest 1

Bhubaneswar: The special crime unit (SCU) of city police on Thursday seized two semi-automatic guns, 10 bullets, two magazines and arrested one person after busting an illegal arms racket.

Police said the operation was carried out in the afternoon near Hatatola pond in Sundarapada under Airfield police station limits. Acting on a specific intelligence input, SCU personnel mounted surveillance in the area and intercepted the suspect after tracking his movements. The arrested accused was identified as Amaresh Rout, alias Kanha (28), a resident of Sundarapada.

“During the operation, apart from the pistol and ammunition, one mobile phone, a two-wheeler and cash were seized from the accused’s possession. Rout was taken into custody without resistance and is being interrogated to ascertain the source of the firearms, possible buyers and links to a wider criminal network involved in illegal weapons trafficking,” a senior police officer said.

Police said Rout was produced in court which remanded him to judicial custody even as further investigation is underway to trace the supply chain, identify associates and uncover any financial backers connected to the racket.

Police have urged people to remain alert and share information on illegal arms activity with the SCU. Police officials said the seizure is a breakthrough in the drive against unlawful firearms and organised criminal activity in the city.