Paralakhemundi, Oct 12: In a major crackdown on illegal gambling, police arrested 70 people during a raid on an alleged gambling den at Debiti village, on the outskirts of Paralakhemundi in Odisha’s Gajapati district, on Sunday evening.

The police seized ₹12.03 lakh in cash, nine cars, 12 motorcycles and 60 mobile phones from the spot. Playing cards and water bottles were also recovered from the premises.

According to reports, a large-scale gambling operation was allegedly being conducted at Jai Mataji Kalyan Mandap in Debiti village. People from Paralakhemundi, various parts of Gajapati district and other areas of Odisha, as well as neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, were reportedly participating in the gambling activity.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team conducted the raid on Sunday evening under the leadership of Paralakhemundi Model Police Station Inspector Prashant Bhupati, Kashinagar Police Station Inspector Trinath Sethi and Garabandha Police Station Inspector Prashant Nishika.

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The operation resulted in the detention and arrest of 70 people, along with the seizure of cash, vehicles and mobile phones.

Among those arrested, around 50 people were reportedly from Andhra Pradesh, while the others were from Odisha. There are also discussions that some of those detained may be government employees, although this has not been independently established.

The interstate links have raised questions about who organised the alleged gambling operation and whether a larger network was involved.

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Police are investigating who was operating the gambling den and whether other people were involved in the activity.

Paralakhemundi Model Police Station Inspector Prashant Bhupati said further action would be taken in accordance with the law after the investigation. Those required to appear before the court will be forwarded accordingly.

The investigation is continuing to establish the roles of the people arrested and identify any alleged organisers or other associates connected with the gambling operation.