Bhubaneswar : In one of the most extensive anti-cattle smuggling operations carried out in Odisha in recent years, police launched coordinated raids across Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts on Saturday, targeting alleged members of organized cattle smuggling syndicates operating in the region.
The large-scale operation, conducted under the supervision of the Eastern Range Police, involved simultaneous searches at 19 locations spread across the three districts. The raids, which began late Friday night and continued into the early hours of Saturday, were executed on the basis of intelligence inputs regarding the activities of individuals suspected to be involved in illegal cattle transportation and smuggling.
Senior police officials said the operation was designed to prevent suspects from escaping or destroying evidence and was carried out under tight security arrangements involving multiple police teams, magistrates, revenue officials and armed police personnel.
Coordinated Action Across Three Districts
Eastern Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Pinak Mishra said the raids were conducted under the direct supervision of the Superintendents of Police of Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts.
“A total of 19 places were raided across the three districts under the Eastern Range. The operation was conducted simultaneously based on specific intelligence inputs regarding cattle smuggling activities,” Mishra said.
According to police, the operation targeted individuals suspected of being involved in long-running illegal cattle transportation networks. Investigators searched residences, business premises and properties linked to the suspects and their associates.
The coordinated crackdown led to the seizure of significant quantities of cash, gold and silver ornaments, vehicles, bank documents and property records believed to be linked to illegal activities.
Major Seizures During Raids
Police officials said a total of 20 four-wheelers allegedly used in cattle smuggling operations were seized during the raids. Authorities also recovered silver ornaments weighing more than one kilogram, cash worth over Rs 58,000, bank passbooks, ATM cards and various property-related documents.
According to the DIG, 19 bank passbooks and ATM cards were among the materials recovered during the operation. Several vehicles, including cars, pickup vans and motorcycles, were also confiscated from different locations.
Police sources said the seized documents and financial records are being scrutinized to determine the extent of the alleged network’s operations and identify possible financial transactions linked to cattle smuggling activities.
Five persons were detained during the raids, while several suspects reportedly managed to evade arrest. Efforts are underway to trace and apprehend those who remain absconding.
Extensive Searches in Mayurbhanj
A major component of the operation was carried out in Mayurbhanj district, where police teams simultaneously raided multiple locations under Baisinga, Rairangpur Rural and Jharpokharia police station limits.
The raids were conducted under the supervision of senior officers, including SDPO Betnoti Minati Biswal, and involved officers from Baishinga, Baripada, Morada and Betnoti police stations. Around two platoons of police personnel were deployed to support the operation.
Searches were conducted in Govindarajpur and Talapada villages under Baishinga police station limits, where police targeted properties belonging to individuals suspected of involvement in illegal cattle smuggling activities for several years.
Among those whose premises were searched were Asikur Rehman alias Fakir of Govindarajpur and Mallik Ustar of Talapada, along with their relatives and associates.
Police reportedly seized substantial quantities of cash, gold and silver ornaments, bank passbooks, land records and other important documents during the searches.
The operation also extended to Kendrei village under Rairangpur Rural police station. Police raided the residences of Sk Takra and Sk Tabrez, recovering three cars along with gold ornaments and other valuables.
Executive Magistrate Sudhakar Sethi, Tehsildar Bhavani Prasad Sahu and two additional tehsildars were present during the searches to oversee the inspection and documentation of seized assets.
Rairangpur SDPO Birendra Senapati said that the operation was conducted under the instructions of the DIG and Mayurbhanj Superintendent of Police Varun Guntupalli.
“So far, approximately 422 grams of silver, around 26 grams of gold, cash and several vehicles have been seized. Some of the accused are absconding and further investigation is underway,” Senapati said.
Police also carried out searches at the residences of Uttam Kumar Dandapata in the Jharpokharia area and Arjun Patnaik in the Shirsa region. Additional raids were conducted in Betnoti, Saraskana and Rairangpur areas as part of the district-wide crackdown.
Bhadrak Operations Lead to Arrests
In Bhadrak district, police conducted simultaneous raids at six locations under Bhadrak Town and Puruna Bazaar police station limits.
The operation focused on individuals suspected of being involved in cattle smuggling activities and was carried out under the supervision of senior district police officials.
Two persons were arrested during the operation. Police identified them as Jahid Khan (19), a resident of the Puruna Bazaar area, and Munu Khan, also referred to in some police records as Matar Khan, from Budhabazar.
During searches of their premises, police recovered cash, gold ornaments, bank passbooks and other financial documents believed to be relevant to the investigation.
Bhadrak Superintendent of Police Manoj Rout said police are maintaining close surveillance on cattle smuggling networks and are examining their operational structure, communication channels and transportation routes.
“We are closely monitoring the activities of these groups. Investigations are focusing on their operational networks, meeting points and transportation routes,” Rout said.
The SP added that the district police are also intensifying efforts against narcotics trafficking, particularly brown sugar smuggling, in Bhadrak Town, Bhadrak Rural and Puruna Bazaar police station areas.
According to Rout, special enforcement drives against drug traffickers will be launched in the coming days as part of broader efforts to combat organized crime in the district.
Balasore Witnesses Large-Scale Overnight Operation
Simultaneously, police carried out extensive raids across Balasore district, covering ten locations under Jaleswar, Bhograi, Basta, Baliapal, Kamarda and Remuna police station limits.
The operation involved seven police teams and five platoons of armed force deployed across multiple locations.
Police searched residences and establishments linked to individuals suspected of involvement in illegal cattle transportation activities. During the operation, authorities seized cash, gold and silver ornaments, motorcycles, vehicles and weapons, including swords and other sharp-edged arms.
Officials said two persons were detained for questioning during the operation.
In addition to rural areas, raids were also conducted in Balasore town and surrounding localities. Police said further investigations are underway to establish links between individuals operating across district boundaries.
Continued Crackdown on Organized Smuggling Networks
Senior police officials described the operation as a significant step toward dismantling organized cattle smuggling networks operating across northern Odisha.
DIG Pinak Mishra said sustained enforcement measures over recent months have already begun to yield results. According to him, continuous police action has reduced illegal cattle transportation activities in the region.
He noted, however, that smugglers have increasingly adopted new methods and routes to evade law enforcement agencies, prompting police to intensify surveillance and intelligence gathering.
Officials also pointed out that cattle smuggling activities in the region have reportedly declined in recent years following political changes in neighbouring West Bengal and a reduction in cross-border demand. Nevertheless, police remain vigilant and are determined to prevent the resurgence of such networks.
Authorities have emphasized that investigations are continuing and further arrests are expected in the coming days. Financial records, property documents and other seized materials are being examined to identify additional suspects and possible links to larger organized criminal networks.
Police have reiterated that strict legal action will be taken against all individuals found involved in cattle smuggling and related illegal activities. The latest operation, officials said, demonstrates Odisha Police’s commitment to disrupting organized crime and strengthening enforcement against interstate smuggling syndicates operating across the state.
