Bhubaneswar; In an effort to make Odisha drug-free and curb narcotics trafficking, the Odisha Police mounted a statewide crackdown involving all district police units.
The special drive – ‘Operation Dharapagad’ – resulted in seizures of illicit substances and the destruction of large-scale illegal cannabis cultivation.
The State Police Headquarters said in a press release on Monday that drugs worth over Rs 10 crore were confiscated during the operation. This included 1,400 kg of ganja (cannabis), 1.65 kg of brown sugar, 133 grams of heroin, and 292 bottles of cough syrup** commonly abused as intoxicants. Additionally, cannabis plants grown across 2,706 acres of land were completely destroyed.
The operation led to the registration of 94 cases under the NDPS Act. 40 accused persons were arrested, with vehicles used in trafficking also seized. In a stern measure against habitual offenders, the National Security Act (NSA) was invoked against 18 persons.
Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania directed the statewide drive, emphasising the identification and arrest of notorious criminals, strict action against anti-social elements, and the complete eradication of illegal ganja trade and cultivation.
The campaign was supervised by Additional DGP (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar, with active participation from Superintendents of Police across all districts.
