Koraput Police Dismantle Inter-State Hashish Oil Syndicate in Major Raid
In a meticulously planned and executed operation, Koraput district police have successfully dismantled a sophisticated inter-state hashish oil manufacturing syndicate, arresting six individuals including the alleged mastermind from Kerala. The crackdown, which unfolded over a tense 30-hour period, targeted a clandestine laboratory hidden on a remote island within the Jolaput reservoir, a location long exploited by traffickers for its isolation.
Amphibious Assault on Remote Island Laboratory
Acting on precise intelligence, police teams launched an amphibious operation on February 26, approaching the secluded island by boat before trekking through dense undergrowth to strike the extraction unit. The raid resulted in the seizure of a staggering 1,800.5 litres of hashish oil, valued at over Rs 225 crore, alongside 1,000 kg of ganja worth approximately Rs 5 crore. Investigators discovered a fully operational improvised laboratory, equipped with a 28 KV generator, modified pressure cookers fitted with custom piping, metal connectors, storage drums, and nearly 80 litres of cleaning solvents, indicating large-scale commercial production.
Intense 30-Hour Manhunt Nets Key Accused
Deputy Inspector General (South Western Range) Kanwar Vishal Singh detailed the operation's intensity. While one accused was apprehended at the site, the alleged mastermind and his associates fled into the dense forest moments before police arrival. In response, authorities launched a comprehensive cordon and search operation, sealing the entire island—spanning several miles with two mounds—and blocking all ferry points and escape routes.
Continuous boat patrolling was conducted inside the reservoir, while six ground teams executed grid searches and combing operations. Drones were deployed across multiple sectors to track movement under the thick canopy, overcoming the hostile terrain. Despite these challenges, police succeeded in arresting Allen Jayaraj (33) of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, identified as the kingpin and primary cook of the syndicate.
Syndicate Structure and Operational Details
Five other individuals were also nabbed: Kiran D (33), Anand Raj (28), and Bittu B (34) from Kerala, along with local facilitators Lalchan Khilla (25) of Malkangiri and Sadhu Pangi (45) of Koraput. DIG Singh emphasized that this was a well-structured syndicate with technical expertise and organized logistics. "By dismantling the laboratory and arresting the kingpin within hours of the raid, we have struck at the manufacturing backbone of the racket," he stated.
Preliminary interrogation reveals that Jayaraj, described as a history-sheeter in Kerala with a violent criminal past and prior NDPS cases, identified the secluded island to establish a high-output extraction unit. The gang allegedly procured bulk quantities of ganja, converting it into high-purity hashish oil through a multi-stage process involving specialized chemicals and controlled heating.
Investigation Expands with SIT Formation
Superintendent of Police (Koraput) Rohit Verma noted that the operation had been in development for days. Jayaraj leveraged his criminal network and local contacts in the ganja trade to set up the unit, which was operational for barely 15 days. "Their funding sources and forward linkages are under investigation, and we will seek his remand for sustained interrogation," Verma added.
Police explained that Kerala-based members handled production and inter-state distribution, while local facilitators sourced raw materials and used their familiarity with the rugged terrain to shield the operation. To intensify the probe, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed under the SP's supervision. Forensic examination of seized materials and financial investigations are underway, with multiple teams dispatched to other states to map the broader smuggling network.
DIG Singh appealed to the public for assistance under the Nasha Mukt Odisha campaign, while cautioning that further details cannot be divulged as the investigation progresses. This operation marks a significant blow to drug trafficking networks exploiting the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border region.
