Odisha reports record ganja seizures, 52,000 acre-plantation destroyed over 5 years

The Odisha government undertook a massive crackdown on illegal ganja cultivation and smuggling over the past five years. In a written reply to the State Assembly, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan informed that authorities have seized a staggering 1,66,941 kilograms of ganja during this period. The sustained action comes as part of an intensified state-wide campaign against narcotics.

Alongside the seizures, large swathes of illegal ganja cultivation have been wiped out. The minister stated that ganja crops spread across 52,235 acres were destroyed over five years, dealing a significant blow to the narcotics network operating in remote and forested regions of the state.

For the current year alone, up to November, enforcement agencies confiscated 22,380 kilograms of ganja. In addition, ganja cultivation spread across 4,364 acres was destroyed as part of ongoing joint operations involving state police, excise personnel, and district administrations.

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District-wise data reveals that Kandhamal continues to remain the hotspot of illegal cultivation, with authorities destroying ganja grown over 3,649 acres. In Boudh, operations led to the destruction of crops on 337 acres of land. The government said it is committed to completely eliminating illegal ganja activity and strengthening surveillance in vulnerable districts.

The government said it is committed to completely eliminating illegal ganja activity and strengthening surveillance in vulnerable districts.