Drug Kingpin Apprehended in Koraput After Lengthy Manhunt
A notorious drug trafficker, who allegedly operated a narcotics supply network from the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha border to the national capital region, has been arrested in Koraput, Odisha. The accused, identified as Manoj Khillo, had been evading authorities after securing parole on the grounds of his mother's cancer treatment and subsequently failing to surrender.
Proclaimed Offender with ₹50,000 Reward
Manoj Khillo had been declared a proclaimed offender by a court, with a substantial reward of ₹50,000 offered for information leading to his capture. Police described him as the alleged mastermind of an inter-state narcotics cartel, involved in multiple criminal cases across Delhi and Odisha.
Elusive Tactics and Jurisdictional Challenges
According to investigative authorities, Khillo employed sophisticated evasion techniques to avoid detection. He frequently changed his identity and utilized multiple aliases while conducting transactions with suppliers and associates. This deliberate strategy ensured that even if his accomplices were apprehended, they would be unable to reveal his true identity to law enforcement.
Police noted that Khillo also exploited jurisdictional complexities by regularly moving across the Odisha–Andhra Pradesh border. This constant movement between state boundaries created significant challenges for police teams attempting to track and apprehend the fugitive trafficker.
Three-Month Surveillance Operation
The arrest culminated from an intensive three-month surveillance operation led by inspector Shiv Kumar. Police had received credible intelligence indicating that Khillo continued to be actively involved in supplying narcotic drugs from Odisha to various regions across the country, including Delhi-NCR.
Based on this critical information, authorities mounted secret surveillance on Khillo and other suspected members of his alleged crime syndicate. Multiple specialized teams were strategically deployed across different parts of Odisha to meticulously trace his movements and patterns.
Village Capture and Court Proceedings
After sustained investigative efforts spanning more than three months, the Special Cell received specific intelligence regarding Khillo's presence in his native village within Koraput district. A dedicated team was immediately dispatched to the location, where they successfully apprehended the fugitive on February 13 at approximately 5:20 PM.
Following his arrest, Khillo was produced before a local court in Koraput. He was subsequently transported to Delhi under a four-day transit remand for further legal proceedings related to his alleged crimes.
Bail Violation and Criminal History
In September 2025, Khillo had been granted 21 days of interim bail by the Orissa High Court, ostensibly for his mother's medical treatment. However, upon completion of the interim bail period, he allegedly failed to surrender at Koraput jail and disappeared underground once again.
Non-bailable warrants were subsequently issued against him in two separate cases following his bail violation. Police records indicate Khillo's involvement in more than six criminal cases under various statutes including the Arms Act, NDPS Act, Excise Act, and charges of criminal intimidation in both Delhi and Odisha jurisdictions.
Previous Narcotics Consignment Case
In the specific NDPS case for which he was declared a proclaimed offender, police alleged that Khillo had organized the dispatch of a substantial consignment containing 46 kilograms of marijuana. The narcotics were transported in a car driven by two Delhi residents identified as Chander Shekhar and Jitender Kumar for delivery in the capital city.
Both individuals were apprehended in Delhi during 2022, with the contraband recovered from their possession along with a Honda City vehicle allegedly used for transportation purposes. During subsequent interrogation, the two accused reportedly disclosed that the seized marijuana had been supplied by Khillo, a Koraput resident, with specific instructions to deliver it to a contact in Delhi.
The arrest represents a significant breakthrough in dismantling inter-state narcotics networks operating across regional boundaries.
