Police busted an alleged cattle trafficking racket with the arrest of two accused, seizing Rs 1.70 lakh in cash and rescuing 10 cattle during a special vehicle-checking drive in Odisha’s Gajapati district, the police said on Thursday.
The operation was conducted at Dumiguda Chhak under Adava police station limits, where police intercepted two Bolero pick-up vehicles allegedly transporting the cattle illegally. The drivers, identified as Jitendra Mandal of Patapur and Ratikanta Nayak of Badagada in Ganjam district, were arrested.
During interrogation, the duo allegedly revealed the involvement of Raju Pani of Guma under Seranga police station in Gajapati district, who is suspected of operating an organised cattle trafficking network.
The Police said the syndicate allegedly procured cattle from different areas and transported them through interior routes to evade police checks.
Based on the disclosures and other evidence, a separate case has been registered against the alleged kingpin and his associates under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Besides rescuing the cattle, police seized Rs 1.70 lakh in cash, two pick-up vehicles, a four-wheeler, and three mobile phones.
The rescued cattle have been shifted to a recognised goshala for safe custody. Further investigation is underway to identify other members of the alleged trafficking syndicate and trace its financial transactions. Police said more arrests are likely.