Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police has intensified its anti-drug crackdown, reporting major gains under a sustained campaign aligned with the Centre’s vision of a drug-free India.
Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar on Friday, Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania said the State recorded significant success between January 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026.
During this period, illegal cannabis cultivation spread over 48,160 acres, valued at over Rs 1,444 crore, was destroyed. Police also seized 2,69,166 kg of cannabis worth more than Rs 1,346 crore, along with 1,862 litres of cannabis oil valued at around Rs 200 crore.
In addition, brown sugar worth Rs 41.7 crore and cough syrup valued at Rs 10.17 crore were confiscated. A total of 654 interstate drug traffickers were arrested during the period, Odisha Police said in a press note.
Khurania said sustained enforcement and targeted strategies have weakened drug networks across the state.
He said Odisha Police will launch a special statewide anti-drug drive from April 1, 2026, to completely eradicate cannabis and other narcotics within three years.
The DGP said illegal cannabis cultivation was largely concentrated in Maoist-affected regions, where it served as a source of income for extremist groups. However, consistent police action has reduced Maoist presence from 12 districts to just 2–3 districts.
Cannabis cultivation has declined by nearly 50% in districts such as Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput, he added.
Police data showed that 670 cases were registered in 2025, leading to the destruction of 29,493 acres of cannabis crop. By February 28, 2026, 357 cases were registered and 18,667 acres destroyed.
Similarly, 1,389 cases were registered in 2025 with 1,991 arrests and seizure of 1,95,130 kg of cannabis. By February 28, 2026, 217 cases led to 343 arrests and seizure of 74,036 kg.
To curb the brown sugar trade, police registered 445 cases and arrested 910 persons, seizing over 20 kg of the contraband. Crackdowns on illegal cough syrup trade led to the seizure of 1,01,755 bottles and arrest of 236 persons.
In a major operation, Koraput police dismantled a cannabis oil processing unit and seized more than 1,800 litres of hashish oil valued at around ₹200 crore, along with over 1,000 kg of cannabis. Seven persons, including four from Kerala, were arrested.
Over the past two years, police destroyed 67 tonnes of seized cannabis in 634 cases. Under a special drive “Prahar” conducted in September 2025, 339 cases were registered and 487 persons arrested.
To weaken the financial backbone of drug traffickers, assets worth over Rs 10 crore have been seized.
Odisha Police has also strengthened surveillance at key transit points using STF-trained sniffer dogs.
Alongside enforcement, authorities are focusing on awareness and rehabilitation. A total of 52 de-addiction centres are operational in the state, providing free treatment, shelter, and skill training.
So far, 19,395 individuals have been rehabilitated and brought back into the mainstream.
Police have urged citizens to support efforts to build a drug-free society and report any information related to narcotics to the nearest police station or helpline.
