Bhubaneswar, Jan. 4 -- The Excise Department carried out a successful crackdown on illegal drug trafficking on Sunday in Odisha'sJajpur district, arresting three persons while they were allegedly selling brown sugar. Officials seized 52 grams of the narcotic substance during the operation.

According to sources, the raid was conducted near Ballabhi Ghat under Jajpur Town police limits. The accused were seated on a motorcycle and engaged in the sale of brown sugar when excise officials swooped in and caught them red-handed.

The seized contraband is estimated to be worth around Rs 5.20 lakh in the illegal market. Following the seizure, the Excise Department arrested all three individuals and forwarded them to court for judicial proceedings...