Assam: Sivasagar police bust alleged stolen goods racket, seize brass artefacts and cash

Assam Police cracked down on an alleged stolen goods network in a late-night raid, seizing a large cache of brass and bell metal artefacts, oxygen cylinders, temple property and Rs 1 lakh in cash from a scrap depot in Sivasagar.

Acting on specific inputs linked to an iron theft case in the Joysagar area, the police team swooped down on a scrap depot owned by Om Prakash Mahato in Sivasagar. The operation led to the recovery of what officers described as a “substantial haul” of suspected stolen materials.

Among the items seized were brass and bell metal articles, several oxygen cylinders and objects believed to belong to a temple — raising concerns over the targeting of religious property. Investigators also recovered Rs 1 lakh in cash during the raid.

Police detained three persons in connection with the case. Azizul Ashrad, a resident of Morigaon, was taken into custody for allegedly being involved in multiple theft cases in Sivasagar. He is also accused of purchasing stolen goods. His scrap depot is located at New Ali in Sivasagar.

Santosh Mahato, associated with the Om Prakash depot, was also detained during the operation. Meanwhile, Rakib Hussain, a youth accused of actively carrying out theft operations, has been arrested.

Officials said the raid was conducted following leads developed during the investigation into iron theft incidents reported from the Joysagar area. The recovery of temple articles and industrial equipment such as oxygen cylinders suggests the existence of a wider network dealing in stolen scrap and valuables.