Farmer Apprehended for Illegal Opium Cultivation in Dhar District
In a significant enforcement action, a farmer was arrested on Wednesday morning for growing opium plants on his farm located in Badpipli village, situated within the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. The arrest followed a targeted police raid conducted late Tuesday night, which uncovered the illicit cultivation amid legal crops.
Police Raid Uncovers Opium Plants Hidden Among Legitimate Crops
According to Sub Inspector Rajendra Singh Singod of the Tirla police station, authorities received specific intelligence indicating that a resident identified as Dilawar had been cultivating opium on his farm on the outskirts of Badpipli village. Acting swiftly on this tip-off, a dedicated police team carried out a raid during the late hours of Tuesday night.
The investigation revealed that Dilawar had primarily grown peas across his farm, but strategically planted opium plants along the periphery, cleverly concealing them among garlic and coriander plants. This method of intercropping was likely an attempt to disguise the illegal activity from casual observation.
Substantial Seizure and Legal Action Under NDPS Act
During the raid, law enforcement officials seized a total of 310 opium plants of varying sizes, with an approximate combined weight of nearly 11 kilograms. The seizure underscores the scale of the illegal cultivation operation. Following the confiscation, a formal case has been registered against the farmer under the relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, which governs such offenses in India.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding illicit drug cultivation in rural areas and the vigilance of local police in combating such activities. The arrest serves as a stern reminder of the legal consequences associated with narcotics production, even in agricultural settings.
