One Tonne Ganja Seized By STF Destroyed In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Around one tonne of contraband ganja, sized by the Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha police, has been destroyed by the authorities, sources said on Wednesday.

The ganja, seized from the exclusive possession of accused persons in a case in 2021, was disposed of at a designated incinerator following all due procedures as per provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985, they said.

The action was taken as per the decision of the Drug Disposal Committee led by SP, STF, Bhubaneswar, Deputy Collector of Khurda, Superintendent of Excise, Khurda, DSP, STF in the presence of Scientific Officers of State Forensic Science laboratory and Member of State Pollution Board.

The seized drugs were first authenticated and certificated by the concerned court and handed over to the drug disposal committee for disposal/destruction. This is the first ever pre-trial disposal case in Odisha, where contraband ganja has been destroyed as per Section 52 A of the NDPS Act, 1985, said an official.

Earlier in June, this year, the STF had destroyed more than 8.5 kg brown sugar.

Sources said there are several other cases under process, both at STF and district police level, for disposal and destruction. At least 4,500 quintal of Ganja and 104 kg of brown sugar seized in the last three years alone are piled up in various courts and police malkhana awaiting destruction.

Most of these seized drugs are expected to be destroyed within the next six months, sources added.