Bhubaneswar, 07 April (H.S.): A large-scale crackdown on alleged cattle smuggling networks is currently underway across the Eastern Range of Odisha, with coordinated police raids conducted in multiple districts. The operation has so far led to the seizure of over ₹50 lakh in cash, large quantities of gold and silver, several vehicles used for transportation, and weapons. Several individuals suspected to be involved in the illegal trade have also been detained.

The operation is being carried out under the supervision of Eastern Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Pinak Mishra. Acting on complaints related to cattle theft and smuggling, police teams conducted simultaneous searches at multiple locations across Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Bhadrak districts.

According to officials, the targeted locations were identified following a series of complaints from residents and farmers regarding cattle theft and suspicious transportation activities in the region.

“We had received numerous complaints about cattle theft, and several related incidents had occurred across our range. Based on these inputs, we initiated a coordinated operation under the supervision of the Superintendents of Police of the three districts. The operation is still ongoing,” DIG Mishra said.

Given the scale of the operation, a substantial police force was deployed to carry out the coordinated raids. The operation involved 18 platoons of police personnel, along with senior officers from multiple ranks.

According to DIG Mishra, the team included eight Additional Superintendents of Police (Addl SPs), 17 officers of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) rank, 25 Inspectors, and 67 Sub-Inspectors and Assistant Sub-Inspectors.

Police teams carried out searches at houses and premises suspected to be linked to cattle smuggling networks, with the aim of uncovering financial records, transportation links, and other evidence associated with the illegal trade.

During the raids, police recovered substantial amounts of cash and valuables believed to have been generated through illegal cattle smuggling activities.

“So far, we have raided 32 locations and seized over ₹50 lakh in cash. This is a preliminary figure, as counting is still ongoing at some locations,” DIG Mishra stated.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda