Illegal poppy plantations worth Rs 30 lakh destroyed in Odisha’s Sundargarh

Authorities have destroyed a large-scale illegal opium poppy cultivation on forest land in the Koida area of Sundargarh district, officials said on Saturday.

The illicit crop was detected near Pundupokhari village, within the jurisdiction of Koida police station. According to officials, opium poppy was being cultivated over nearly five acres of forest land.

Joint Raid by Excise and Police

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, teams from the Excise Department and local police carried out a joint operation at the site and uprooted the standing crop. Officials estimated the value of the destroyed opium poppy cultivation to be more than Rs 30 lakh.

Two Detained, Probe Underway

Police said two people have been detained in connection with the case and are currently being questioned. The detainees, both residents of Jharkhand, were allegedly working as labourers on the illegal plantation.

Further investigation is underway to identify those behind the operation and to determine the full extent of the network involved in the illegal cultivation.

Inter-State Mafia Angle Suspected

Preliminary findings indicate the involvement of opium mafias from other states. Investigators suspect that these groups lured local tribal residents with monetary incentives and other inducements to cultivate opium poppy on forest land.

Officials said the Koida mining belt is increasingly emerging as a hotspot for such illegal activities, with forest areas being targeted by organised networks.

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Questions Over Delay in Detection

The incident has raised concerns over how such extensive illegal cultivation went undetected for a prolonged period. Questions are also being raised regarding the role of the Forest Department and why large-scale opium poppy farming on forest land under its jurisdiction was not detected earlier.

Authorities said surveillance and enforcement measures are being reviewed to prevent recurrence.