Cannabis Plants Worth Crores Torched In Gajapati, Boudh

Gajapati/Boudh: Intensifying the drive against ganja (Dry Cannabis) smuggling in the wake of the harvesting season of the contraband crop, a joint team of Mohana Police and excise department conducted raids in forests near Nijuma and Ruamba villages in Gajapati district and destroyed cannabis plants worth around Rs 15 crore.

The total cultivation spread over an area of 76 acres was torched by the police personnel. R Udayagiri SDPO Ashok Kumar Mohanty said that the drive will continue and awareness would be created among local people to help police check the illegal cultivation.

Ganja cultivation has become rampant in the cut-off areas as two days back, the Adava Police along with Excise and Forest department officials torched ganja cultivation on around 62 acre of land near Antaraba panchayat of Gajapati district. While the estimated value of the torched narcotics item was stated to be Rs 12 crore, police said a probe is underway to identify the cultivator.

On Thursday, Boudh Police conducted a raid against illegal cultivation of cannabis plants at Tilpanga under Manamunda police limits and destroyed 139875 number of cannabis plants spread in a huge area.