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Odisha Police on Sunday announced the dismantling of an interstate dacoity gang, arresting four suspects—three from Andhra Pradesh and one from Ganjam district—in a breakthrough operation that has shed light on a criminal network operating across multiple states.
The arrests were made in an area under the jurisdiction of Golanthara Police Station in Brahmapur, following a coordinated effort that began after a high-profile robbery in August 2024. Police recovered ₹6.92 lakh in cash, believed to be the proceeds of a recent heist in the Golanthara area, along with a car, 14 mobile phones, a WiFi device, and eight fake gold pieces.
Brahmapur Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M confirmed the details in a press briefing on April 13, 2025, adding that the gang had been active for at least six months. “Their modus operandi involved impersonation and distraction tactics. They would call victims pretending to be real estate agents commending large advances, then snatch the cash and phones during fake land deals,” he said.
The gang’s most audacious attack occurred on August 10, 2024, when they allegedly robbed a person of ₹35 lakh near Hanspur in Chhatrapur, within Ganjam district. In that incident, the complainant received a call from one of the accused posing as an intermediary for a land purchase, who instructed him to bring the advance payment. Upon arrival, the suspects snatched the bag containing the cash and the victim’s mobile phone before fleeing.
According to police records, the same gang is responsible for a series of dacoities in Brahmapur, Srikakulam, and Visakhapatnam. Investigators noted that the criminals used a siren mounted on their vehicle to create a loud distraction, preventing bystanders from intervening. They also frequently swapped license plates to evade detection—a tactic that has been seen in other organized crime rings across India.
“We have identified two more members, including the main accused, who are still at large. A manhunt is underway, and we are coordinating with Andhra Pradesh Police,” SP Vivek said. The arrested individuals are currently in custody and being interrogated to piece together the full scope of the network’s operations.
Criminologist Dr. Anjali Sharma, who specializes in organized crime in eastern India, described the case as “a textbook example of how modern dacoity gangs are using digital tools to identify and target victims.” She noted that the use of fake caller IDs and social media reconnaissance is becoming increasingly common. “The fact that the gang was able to operate across state lines for several months without being caught suggests that inter-state police cooperation needs to be strengthened,” Dr. Sharma added.
Local residents in the Golanthara area expressed relief after the arrests. One shopkeeper, who requested anonymity, said, “We have been living in fear since the August robbery. People now avoid carrying large sums of cash, but the police action gives us hope.”
The incident comes amid a broader spike in property-related crimes in Odisha’s coastal districts, according to data from the National Crime Records Bureau. In 2024, Ganjam reported a 12% increase in robbery and dacoity cases compared to the previous year. Police have attributed this to economic pressures and the influx of migrant workers in the region.
The Odisha Police have since launched a public awareness campaign urging citizens to verify the identity of anyone requesting large cash transactions, and to report suspicious activity immediately. They have also increased patrols in areas known for real estate dealings.
As the investigation continues, authorities are tracing the gang’s financial trail and examining the seized phones and WiFi device for additional leads. The recovered fake gold pieces are being analyzed to determine if they were used in previous scams. Meanwhile, the search for the two absconding suspects is ongoing, with checkpoints set up at key entry points in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
This case highlights the persistent challenge of cross-border crime in India, where state police forces must work together to dismantle sophisticated networks. For now, residents of Ganjam district can breathe a little easier, knowing that four of the alleged perpetrators are behind bars.
