Bhubaneswar: As many as 1,771 accused persons were arrested during a five-day special drive by the Odisha Police to crack down on crime and illegal activities.

As per the direction of Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania, the Odisha Police had launched the statewide drive on May 12.

The special drive, carried out across all police ranges, focused on executing non-bailable warrants (NBWs), arresting absconding criminals, curbing narcotics trade, dismantling illegal arms and mining networks, checking cattle smuggling and enforcing road safety measures.

The drive was supervised by Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) Sanjay Kumar, said the Odisha Police in a statement.

During the drive, the cops executed NBWs leading to the arrest of altogether 1,771 accused persons. Besides, 190 absconding accused were arrested and produced in the courts. Moreover, at least five notorious criminals were booked under the National Security Act (NSA), it added.

The cops also booked altogether 449 habitual offenders under Section 129 of the BNSS and initiated proceedings against 643 persons under Section 126 of the BNSS.

In addition to this, the police registered 31 cases under the NDPS Act and arrested 29 persons. Around 3,000 kg ganja and 16.6 gram brown sugar were seized during the drive. Several vehicles and Rs 12,348 in cash were also seized by the cops. Altogether 716 excise cases were registered during the statewide crackdown, revealed Odisha Police.

As per the data, the police took action against 966 drunken drivers, seized their vehicles and collected Rs 1.89 crore in fines in various traffic rule violation cases.

According to the cops, five cases were registered and 33 cattle were rescued from the smugglers. In a crackdown on illegal mining activities, the police registered 136 cases, arrested 60 persons and seized 179 vehicles, including trucks and tractors.

The cops have registered nine cases in a crackdown on illegal arms, arrested 13 persons and seized at least 20 unlicensed firearms, said Odisha Police.