TV
The Odisha government has directed its law enforcement agencies to go beyond arresting small-time peddlers and instead focus on nabbing the ‘masterminds’ behind the state’s narcotics trade, especially around schools and colleges.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary held at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Monday. It was attended by senior officials, including Home Department Special Secretary R.K. Sharma, Crime Branch ADG Binay Tosh Mishra, IG Sarthak Sadangi, and STF SP Rabi Narayan Satapathy.
Sources said that the issue of drug trafficking near educational campuses was discussed with utmost seriousness, and talks were held to curb a growing chain of peddlers and drug traffickers near educational institutions of the state.
Excise officials were instructed to cut off the supply chain at its roots and protect students from falling prey to addiction.
Accordingly, the Chief Secretary stressed that law enforcement should now be more aggressive near schools, colleges, and hostels to ensure a safe environment for youngsters.
Recent STF Raids in Bhubaneswar
Earlier this month, the Special Task Force (STF) conducted surprise raids on shops near Patia and Khandagiri, areas known for housing major universities and colleges. Acting on intelligence about the sale of brown sugar and ganja, STF teams searched multiple kiosks and collected samples for forensic testing.
Though officials have not disclosed arrest details, sources indicated that the operation yielded crucial leads into networks supplying drugs to students.
Wider Crackdown Across the State
The campus-level vigilance comes alongside a statewide crackdown on interstate drug syndicates. For the past two weeks, STF has been carrying out marathon raids in coordination with district police, targeting hotspots from markets and kiosks to slums.
The operation, initiated under instructions from the DGP and Crime Branch DGP, also involves cooperation with national agencies such as the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
