Bhubaneswar: Odisha police have launched a special campaign to eradicate cannabis cultivation in the state, with Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania directing district Superintendents of Police to identify and take strict action against ganja mafia.
The campaign, which began on November 1 last year, has already yielded significant results, with 591 cases registered and over 25,000 acres of cannabis cultivation destroyed. By the end of January, 213 cases were registered, and more than 8,269 acres of marijuana cultivation were destroyed.
DGP Khurania has set a target to completely eradicate ganja cultivation by March 31. The police are using drones and satellites to identify and destroy acres of ganja cultivation land, and are also warning those cultivating the contraband plants of strict action.
The campaign is focused on eight districts, including Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput, Boudh, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Ganjam, and Nabarangpur, where illegal marijuana cultivation is rampant.
Notably, Odisha has been actively working to eradicate cannabis cultivation, with significant successes in recent years. In 2024, 350 cases were registered, and over 15,000 acres of marijuana cultivation were destroyed
