Bhubaneswar: The Government Railway Police (GRP) of Odisha seized over 3352 kilograms of marijuana and arrested 299 people for alleged drug smuggling so far in 2025, official data shared by the state police said on Saturday.
The figures corroborate the intensive efforts of the GRP to curb illegal smuggling of narcotic substances through the railway network. As per official figures, the GRP has registered 200 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act across Odisha during the current year continuing their crackdown on drug traffic through rail routes.
The Cuttack GRP has registered 87 cases, seized over 1,489 kilograms of marijuana and arrested 116 accused. The Rourkela GRP has registered 113 cases, seized more than 1,863 kilograms of marijuana and arrested 183 accused people. In addition, 2.61 grams of brown sugar was also recovered during operations in 2025.
Police investigations revealed that the arrested accused persons hail from multiple states, including Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Authorities said probes are underway to identify and dismantle the larger inter-state smuggling networks operating through the railway routes.
The GRP has strengthened coordination with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to ensure railway routes are free from trafficking of narcotic substances. Joint operations and intensive inspections are being conducted at major railway stations across Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Puri and Rourkela.
Police teams are conducting thorough checks of suspicious bags and parcels in trains, while sniffer dogs have been deployed periodically to search railway stations and train coaches. Officials said these measures have significantly increased surveillance and detection capabilities. The public has been urged to support the anti-drug campaign by promptly informing the police about any suspicious activities related to smuggling of narcotics.
Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania stated that Odisha Police follow a zero-tolerance policy for smuggling of narcotics and drug mafias will not be spared. He said, “All persons involved in the smuggling of narcotics will face strict action. Our coordinated efforts and regular checking will ensure railway routes remain free from smuggling of illegal drugs.”
