Raising concerns over security measures and the dominance of the drug mafia, massive poppy plants worth Rs 3 crore have been traced and destroyed following a raid by police inside Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Mayurbhanj district.
After getting information, a joint team comprising officials of forest, excise, and police reached the areas and destroyed the poppy plants.
It is not the first time that such an incident has been reported from the core and buffer areas of STR.
On March 10, a massive raid was conducted by a joint squad on opium plantations at Bakua and Kukurabhuka, and over 5.25 lakh plants of opium poppy were destroyed. The plants were approximately valued at Rs 10.66 crore.
On the same day, the team also destroyed 3.85 lakh plants at Jenabil, Khejuri, and Jajagada under the Jashipur range. The plants were valued at Rs 7.70 crore.
On February 24, a squad had destroyed 26 lakh opium plants in the core area. Though illegal plantations have been destroyed, no arrests have been made so far by the authorities.