Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown on cattle smuggling and illegal arms trafficking, Rourkela Police have busted an organised racket operating in Sundargarh district and arrested four persons, including notorious cattle smuggler Mojammil Ansari. The operation was carried out in the Gudgudjore area under the jurisdiction of Bisra police station.
The arrests come as part of intensified police action against cattle smuggling networks across Odisha. Following coordinated operations by Keonjhar Police in various districts, Rourkela Police also stepped up enforcement and launched a targeted raid against the gang active in the Sundargarh region.
During the operation, police apprehended the prime accused Mojammil Ansari and three of his associates. A total of three country-made firearms and one fake pistol were seized from their possession, along with a large cache of vehicles and weapons used in criminal activities.
The details of the operation were shared during a press conference held at the Bisra police station premises. Zone-2 DSP Jitendranath Sethi addressed the media in the presence of Bisra IIC Manoranjan Kumbhar and Bondamunda IIC Ranjan Nayak.
According to police, the arrested accused have been identified as Mojammil Ansari (33), Sameer Ansari (34), Hasan Ansari (50), all residents of the Gudgudjore area and S. Gulab (48) of Amna Colony. From their possession, police seized three country-made guns, four live cartridges, one fake firearm, a Scorpio car, two motorcycles, an auto-rickshaw, a sharp-edged weapon (bhujali), a knife, an iron rod and three mobile phones. All the accused have been produced before the court.
Police sources said that they had received credible intelligence indicating that Mojammil Ansari was illegally storing firearms at his residence and was planning an arms deal with his associates. Acting swiftly on the information, a police team conducted a surprise raid at his house and apprehended him. During the search, one country-made revolver and two cartridges were recovered.
Further interrogation of Mojammil revealed the involvement of his three associates—Sameer, Hasan and Gulab—who were allegedly assisting him in the illegal arms trade. Subsequent raids were conducted at their residences as well. An air gun was recovered from Sameer’s house, while a fake firearm was seized from the residence of S. Gulab in Amna Colony.
Police investigations revealed that Mojammil Ansari and his associates were deeply involved not only in cattle smuggling but also in illegal land dealings and arms trafficking. Mojammil and Sameer are known cattle mafia figures who have been actively involved in smuggling cattle across Bisra and neighbouring areas of Jharkhand for several years.
During day-long raids at the residences of the accused, police also recovered several materials and tools used in cattle smuggling. In addition, multiple vehicles—including motorcycles, a car and an auto rickshaw—used in the illegal operations were seized.
Rourkela Superintendent of Police Nitesh Wadhwani said the arrested individuals were involved in arms smuggling and other inter-state criminal activities. “Four accused have been arrested for their involvement in illegal arms trafficking and other serious crimes. They were also actively engaged in cattle smuggling. Extensive searches were conducted at their residences, during which firearms, air guns and equipment used for cow slaughter were seized. Stern action will be taken against other individuals linked to this network,” he said.
Police further disclosed that Mojammil Ansari and Sameer Ansari are related as brothers-in-law and have been engaged in cattle smuggling activities for the past eight years. Hasan Ansari and S. Gulab, on the other hand, are allegedly land mafia operators. After coming into contact with each other a few years ago, they began collaborating in illegal land deals and arms trafficking.
Criminal records show that Mojammil Ansari has four previous cases registered against him, while S. Gulab has two cases and Sameer and Hasan Ansari have one case each to their names. The police have stated that further investigation is underway to identify and take action against other members of the smuggling and arms trafficking network.
