Odisha Police's 'Operation Garuda' Nabs 129 Criminals in Nine Days

Significant Crackdown on Crime in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: In a focused initiative, the Odisha Police apprehended 129 individuals linked to various criminal activities over a span of nine days, as reported by a senior police official on Saturday.

The operation, dubbed 'Operation Garuda', commenced on August 1 with the aim of combating crime, smuggling, and other anti-social behaviors, according to ADG (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar during a press briefing.

This operation is set to run until August 14, and thus far, authorities have executed 3,159 non-bailable warrants.

As of Saturday, law enforcement has confiscated 51 firearms, 95 rounds of ammunition, and cash amounting to Rs 1.45 lakh.

Additionally, 890 cases related to excise violations have been filed statewide, leading to the seizure of 17,069 litres of illegal liquor.

In terms of narcotics, 11 cases under the NDPS Act were registered, with 888 kg of ganja and 44.57 grams of brown sugar taken into custody.

The operation also resulted in 11 gambling-related cases, with Rs 2.79 lakh in cash seized.

Furthermore, police recorded 115 incidents of drunk driving, resulting in the confiscation of an equal number of vehicles, primarily in the cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

The ADG emphasized that these accomplishments showcase the commitment and teamwork of all districts involved in making 'Operation Garuda' a success.

He also indicated that the operation would be intensified in the upcoming week.