Bhubaneswar: Malkangiri police seized around 60 kg of hashish or hash oil, in a first-of-its-kind haul in Odisha, from Essar Chowk forest area in the district on Sunday.
Speaking to mediapersons, Malkangiri SP Vinodh Patil said that the market price of the seized Hashish oil would be worth nearly Rs 8 crore. “The contraband was seized following due legal procedure in the presence of a magistrate,” he said.
The highly potent narcotic substance derived from ganja plant was allegedly being smuggled from Andhra Pradesh to outside states via Malkangiri route. “This material is highly potent compared to dry cannabis. It causes paranoia and high anxiety. Smugglers find it easier to transport as it’s in liquid, condensed form,” the SP said.
Police also seized eight motorcycles from the spot. “A case has been registered under the NDPS Act and efforts are underway to arrest the eight accused drug peddlers, who managed to escape from the crime spot,” he said.
Patil said that this seizure of hashish oil is the first such case in Malkangiri district and across Odisha, as well as the highest seizure in the country in a single case. Surveillance and patrolling along the Malkangiri–Andhra Pradesh border have been further intensified to curb illicit drug trafficking, he added.