Bhubaneswar: Odisha has seized more than 513 metric tonnes of ganja, registered 3,238 cases and arrested 4,534 persons in anti-narcotics operations since 2024, officials said during the 7th meeting of the State Level Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) held here on Tuesday.
The meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg at Lok Seva Bhawan, reviewed measures to curb drug trafficking, build a drug-free and addiction-free society, strengthen public awareness and enhance coordination among enforcement and government agencies.
Additional Chief Secretary of the Home and Information & Public Relations Department Hemant Sharma, Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania, Director General of CID-Crime Branch Binaytosh Mishra, Deputy Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Kolkata, and senior officials from various departments attended the meeting.
Presenting an overview of the state’s anti-drug efforts, DG, CID-Crime Branch, Mishra highlighted the preparation of an action plan aimed at dismantling illicit drug supply chains. He referred to the Union Home Minister’s call at the 9th Apex NCORD meeting in New Delhi earlier this year for achieving a drug-free India and reviewed action taken on decisions adopted during the 6th State Level NCORD meeting held on March 20.
A presentation by the Special Task Force (STF) and CID-Crime Branch revealed that, apart from the seizure of over 513 metric tonnes of ganja, authorities have destroyed more than 69,470 acres of illegal cannabis cultivation across the state since 2024. Enforcement agencies have also seized over 33 kilograms of brown sugar and more than two lakh bottles of codeine-mixed cough syrup during the period.
Officials informed the meeting about a special anti-narcotics campaign conducted along the Andhra-Odisha border, which resulted in the arrest of seven members of an inter-state drug trafficking network and the seizure of hashish oil and ganja valued at around ₹230 crore. Authorities have also intensified financial investigations into assets linked to drug trafficking activities.
Reviewing the state’s anti-drug initiatives, the Chief Secretary directed officials to discuss NCORD-related actions during meetings with district collectors and emphasised the need for meaningful deliberations at district-level coordination meetings. She also called for expediting the trial of narcotics-related cases and strengthening awareness campaigns to achieve the goal of a drug-free Odisha.
The meeting further stressed the importance of promoting profitable alternative agricultural activities and livelihood opportunities in areas affected by illegal ganja cultivation. Garg also underscored the need to expand awareness programmes aimed at preventing youth from falling prey to drug abuse.
Officials said coordinated enforcement, preventive measures and community participation would remain central to the state’s strategy to combat narcotics trafficking and substance abuse.
