Commissionerate Police uncovers major firearms syndicate operating in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, July 29: A special squad from the Commissionerate Police has dismantled an illegal firearms syndicate, arresting six of its members, Commissioner of Police (CP) Sanjeeb Panda announced on Monday. The individuals arrested include Rasmi Ranjan Swain (35) from Marsagahi in Kendrapada, Utkal Kesari Khuntia (33) from Patakura in Kendrapada, Krushna Chandra Jena (26) and Chiranjibi Jena (25) from Niali in Cuttack, Mohamad Samser (34), and Sk Ajharuddin (21) from Jatni in Khurda.
The arrests were made in Bhubaneswar and Jatni.
CP Panda identified Swain as the leader of the syndicate, which was involved in procuring illegal firearms from Munger, Bihar, and distributing them across Odisha. The gang was also implicated in extortion, terrorizing the sand business, cattle trading, and illegal mining activities.
During the operation, authorities seized five firearms (including three 7.65 mm semi-automatic pistols, one six-round revolver, and one single-shot firearm), nine rounds of live ammunition, and two motorcycles.
The arrested individuals face charges under Sections 308(3)/308(4)/308(5)/131/351 of the BNS and Sections 25/27/35 of the Arms Act. Some of the gang members have previously been involved in murder and kidnapping cases.
The syndicate operated in the districts of Cuttack, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapada, selling firearms at prices ranging from Rs 45,000 to Rs 60,000 each, depending on their quality. Additional members of the gang have been identified and are expected to be arrested soon, according to police sources.