Motihari, Sept. 1: Around 8,000 bags of foodgrain were seized from six illegal godowns situated on the outskirts of the city in raids that continued till late Wednesday evening.

The entire stock of the grains was kept in gunny bags bearing the Food Corporation of India (FCI) mark. The value of the seizure is estimated to be around Rs 1.5 crore.

The raids were conducted in the presence of the civil sub-divisional officer (SDO) in different godowns leading to the recovery of stocks of rice and wheat. A large number of bags were also recovered bearing the trademark of several branded companies. However, SDO Radha Kant could not be contacted for comment.

Sadar deputy superintendent of police S.K. Saroj who suspects the involvement of some heavyweight food racketeers behind this illegal trade told The Telegraph the packing-cum-sewing machine seized during the raids suggested that after packing the grains in branded bags, they are sold in the black market at exorbitant prices.

Local residents said the huge seizure of foodgrain packed in the bags of FCI from illegal and private godowns have reasons to indicate some unholy nexus among some personnel of the FCI and the grain mafia in this bordering district who control the movement of the foodgrain market.

The police are yet to register an FIR in the matter, said town inspector Anant Kumar Singh, although two people have been detained for interrogation.

Police are collecting the necessary details and completing required formalities before registering cases against guilty persons, he added.