Phulbani: A joint team of Phulbani Sadar police and excise department officials destroyed ganja cultivation worth around Rs 15 crore on Monday.
Acting on a tip-off about ganja cultivation, the cops along with excise officials conducted raids at two forests near Pakadei and Dadaganda villages under Bilabadi panchayat and destroyed hemp plantation on around 150 acre of farmland.
Sources said two platoons of cops led by IIC of Pulbani Sadar Police and excise officials were engaged in the drive. As many as 50 locals were also roped in to assist the police and excise officials in destroying the cannabis.
Earlier on November 19, Odisha government had made it clear that farmers will not be given permission for hemp (cannabis/ganja) cultivation stating that the practice would continue to remain illegal in the State.