Bhubaneswar: Central paramilitary forces deployed in erstwhile Maoist strongholds in Odisha are likely to assist the state in fighting illegal narcotics trade.
According to information, personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF) deployed in remote areas may be tasked with identifying and tracing illegal ganja cultivation sites.
The proposal to involve central forces was discussed at a high-level meeting convened by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. Drug law enforcement wings and other agencies such as NCB, Odisha Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), excise department, Enforcement Directorate (ED), customs, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Income Tax Department, CRPF and BSF joined the meeting to strengthen coordinated action against drug trafficking and emerging narcotics threats.
Though Odisha was declared Maoist-free on March 31, central forces continue to be stationed in vulnerable areas to prevent any resurgence of extremist activities.
According to reports, NCB has proposed that ANTF develop a specialised training module for CRPF and BSF personnel to help agencies detect signs of illicit cannabis cultivation in dense forest regions.
Since Central forces continue area-domination exercises in inaccessible and thick forest areas, they are in a position to identify such plantations. ANTF is fine-tuning a training programme for them to support Odisha’s goal of achieving zero ganja cultivation, a senior police officer was quoted by TOI as saying.
The meeting also focused on targeting the financial networks behind the drug trade. NCB proposed that ED and Income Tax Department intensify financial investigations in major narcotics cases, particularly those involving traffickers who have amassed substantial assets through the proceeds of ganja cultivation and smuggling.
A dedicated financial investigation training programme was also proposed for officers engaged in drug law enforcement. The need for specialised training for railway personnel was also highlighted to help them detect evolving methods used by traffickers to transport narcotics across states.