Bhubaneswar: Mayurbhanj police destroyed massive illegal cultivation of poppy plants worth around Rs 3.10 crore deep inside Similipal Reserve Forest under Jashipur police limits on Saturday.
According to an official press release, an operation was conducted by SDPO Karanjia and IIC Jashipur for the destruction of the illegal cultivation of poppy plants (opium) near Jojoguda and Phulbadi villages inside Similipal Tiger Reserve.
Approximately, 1,54,980 nos. of Opium plants were destroyed by setting them on fire at the spot in the presence of the independent witnesses, Executive Magistrate, Forest and Excise department and Revenue Inspector.
The value of the destroyed opium plants is approximately Rs. 3.10 crore.
Two cases have been registered at Jashipur police station under section 18 of the NDPS Act in this connection.
Worth mentioning that earlier on February 24 and March 10 this year, a total of 5,41,000 poppy plants having an approximate value of Rs 10.96 crore were destroyed inside the Similipal Tiger Reserve. Further operations to identify and destroy opium cultivation by the police will continue. Investigation regarding the linkages of the origin and end use including transportation of the same is being done directly under the supervision of SP, Mayurbhanj, the release added.
