Bhubaneswar, 21 February (H.S.): In a significant operation against ganja smuggling, the Kandhamal police have seized over 10,852 kilograms of ganja following raids at multiple locations in the district on Friday.

As per a press release from Odisha Police, the seizures include 6,520 kilograms from a forest near Daruogonda Ghati, 1,520 kilograms from Kasinpadar village in Phiringia, 2,052 kilograms from Sudruju village, 650 kilograms from Jakripada jungle in Baliguda, and 110 kilograms from Sunapanga village in Tikabali.

The operation was led by Kandhamal Superintendent of Police BC Harisha, who formed a special task force to tackle illegal activities. The raids were carried out in response to an order from Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania.

Reports indicate that the ganja was being smuggled from the forests of Kandhamal to other regions of the state. After receiving a tip-off about the operation, police had been tracking the suspects for several days and arrested one individual during the raid.

This seizure is part of a broader initiative by Kandhamal police to eliminate ganja cultivation and smuggling in the district. The special drive, set to continue until March 31, aims to completely uproot ganja cultivation in the area. The Director General of Police has directed Kandhamal police to work toward total eradication of ganja cultivation within this period.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda