Bhubaneswar, Nov 20: The Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha Crime Branch seized 264 grams of brown sugar and arrested two men during a raid near Dhauli Stupa in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. The arrests were made after a targeted operation, based on intelligence information, as the suspects were allegedly preparing for a drug deal on the outskirts of the city.

According to sources, STF teams carried out the operation early in the morning after receiving a tip-off about a possible narcotics transaction near the Dhauli Stupa area, under Dhauli police station. The officers intercepted two men, questioned them, and conducted a search.

The arrested individuals were identified as Pradeep Kumar Patra (38) from Cuttack district and Md. Sahanawaz Hussain (41) from Khordha district. Both failed to explain the presence of the suspected drugs, leading to their immediate detention.

During the search, STF officers seized 264 grams of brown sugar, three mobile phones, a TVS Apache motorcycle, and other items. The mobile phones will be examined for call records, contacts, and any links to suppliers. The motorcycle, believed to have been used for transportation, is also being investigated for ownership details.

A forensic examination of the seized drugs will be conducted as part of the ongoing investigation.