Bhubaneswar: The Government Railway Police (GRP) in Odisha has intensified its crackdown on the illegal smuggling of narcotic substances through the railway network, seizing more than 3,352 kilograms of ganja and arresting 299 accused persons so far this year, police officials said.
According to official data, the GRP has registered 200 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act across the state during the current year as part of sustained enforcement efforts against drug trafficking through rail routes.
The Cuttack GRP registered 87 cases, seized over 1,489 kilograms of ganja, and arrested 116 accused persons. Meanwhile, the Rourkela GRP registered 113 cases, seized more than 1,863 kilograms of ganja, and arrested 183 accused persons. In addition, 2.61 grams of brown sugar was also recovered during operations.
Police investigations revealed that the arrested accused persons hail from multiple states, including Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Authorities said investigations are ongoing to identify and dismantle the larger inter-state smuggling networks operating through the railway system.
To keep railway routes free from narcotics trafficking, the GRP has strengthened coordination with the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Joint operations and intensive inspections are being conducted at major railway stations across Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Puri, and Rourkela.
Police teams are carrying out thorough checks of suspicious bags and parcels in trains, while sniffer dogs are also being deployed periodically to search railway stations and train coaches. Officials said these measures have significantly enhanced surveillance and detection capabilities.
The public has been urged to support the anti-drug campaign by promptly informing the police about any suspicious activities related to narcotics smuggling.
Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania reiterated that Odisha Police is following a zero-tolerance policy against drug mafias. “Strict and decisive action will continue against all persons involved in narcotics smuggling. Coordinated enforcement and vigilant checking will be maintained to keep railway routes free from illegal drugs,” he said.
