Doctor Arrested as Narcotic Drug Syndicate Uncovered in Odisha
In a shocking turn of events, a doctor’s clinic in Mahaveer Vihar of Jajpur town has been exposed as a front for a narcotic drug syndicate. Nigamananda Khatua, a dentist, was apprehended along with two others for their involvement in running a drug racket in the district. The two accomplices were identified as Sandip Kumar Mallick and Ratnakar Dixit, both residents of Jajpur district.
The investigation began when the Jajpur Town police received a tip-off about a brown sugar operation and conducted a raid near Sinduraimuhan in the district headquarters town. This resulted in the arrest of Mallick and Dixit, who were found in possession of 25 grams of brown sugar.
During questioning, Mallick and Dixit disclosed that they had been procuring the narcotics from Dr. Nigamananda. Acting swiftly on this information, the police arrested the dentist, who was believed to be the mastermind behind the drug racket in the area. Jajpur sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Satyabrata Lenka revealed, The dentist is the kingpin of the racket and used to trade in brown sugar in the area. Lenka further assured that the police would remain vigilant and bring all individuals involved in drug peddling to justice.
The three individuals were produced before a local court, where their bail pleas were rejected. Subsequently, they were remanded to judicial custody. Meanwhile, in a separate incident just a day before these arrests, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) apprehended a panchayat samiti member and four college students in Jeypore for their alleged involvement in ganja trafficking. The NCB team conducted a raid in the Parabeda area of Jeypore and detained the students who were residing there.
The recent involvement of professionals and students in the drug trade has raised concerns within the state’s security apparatus, prompting the need for a comprehensive strategy to combat and curb this emerging trend. Odisha Police has been active in its efforts to tackle the drug menace, having seized significant quantities of brown sugar/heroin, cocaine, ganja/marijuana, and opium since 2020. Over 183 drug dealers and peddlers have been apprehended in connection with these seizures.
The revelation of a dentist’s clinic being used as a hub for narcotics trading serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of the drug trade and the need for continued vigilance and strict law enforcement. The authorities must continue to crack down on drug syndicates and ensure that those involved face the full force of the law. By apprehending key individuals and dismantling these criminal operations, steps can be taken towards a society free from the grip of drug addiction and its detrimental consequences.
