Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown on cattle smuggling, police conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations in Odisha's Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts, seizing a large quantity of weapons, cash exceeding Rs 10 lakh, and gold ornaments.

In Bhadrak, the raids began at around 3:30 am and targeted the houses of at least eight suspected cattle smugglers. The operation was carried out at several locations, including Santhia village, Nangamahala in Puruna Bazaar, Alalpur and Gujidarada.

The district had been witnessing growing activities of cattle smuggling, prompting action against the cattle smugglers.

During the raids, police recovered a significant cache of deadly weapons. Cops are also verifying assets, including cash and gold ornaments, suspected to be linked to the illegal trade.

Meanwhile, in Mayurbhanj, coordinated raids were conducted by multiple police teams across the district targeting cattle smugglers. The operation was ongoing in Satapautia and Deogaon villages under Rairangpur Rural police limits.

Police raided the residences of Sheikh Maksed Alam in Deogaon and Nilu Far Begum in Satapautia as part of the drive. Similar raids were underway in other parts of the district.

So far, cash exceeding Rs 10 lakh along with gold ornaments has been seized during the operation.

The raids are part of a broader effort to curb illegal cattle transportation and dismantle organised smuggling networks in the region.