Odisha Police Achieve Record-Breaking Ganja Seizures in 2025, Worth Rs 1,346 Crore
In a significant crackdown on narcotics, the Odisha Police have reported a monumental seizure of 195,130 kilograms of ganja, valued at an astonishing Rs 1,346 crore, throughout the state in 2025. This represents a staggering 41% increase compared to the previous year's haul of 138,241 kilograms. Director General of Police Y B Khurania unveiled these figures on Friday while releasing the annual anti-narcotics activity report, describing this massive confiscation as the highest recorded in the country.
Surge in Seizures and Arrests Under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan
The enforcement drive, conducted under the government's Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, has yielded impressive results. From 2024 to 2025, ganja seizures jumped from 138,241 kg to 195,130 kg, with an additional 74,035 kg already confiscated in the current year. Concurrently, arrests related to drug trafficking escalated from 1,670 in 2024 to 1,993 in 2025, indicating a more aggressive stance against illicit activities.
Top Districts and Financial Crackdown on Traffickers
Kandhamal, Boudh, and Malkangiri districts emerged as the hotspots for ganja seizures, with confiscations of 59,029 kg, 38,755 kg, and 25,574 kg respectively. DGP Khurania emphasized that financial investigations have become a cornerstone of their strategy, leading to the confiscation of properties worth over Rs 10 crore in three separate cases. "Our focus is to break the financial backbone of smugglers," he stated, highlighting the shift towards targeting the economic foundations of drug networks.
Enhanced Legal Measures and Brown Sugar Seizures
To bolster preventive measures, the police submitted sixteen proposals for the detention of traffickers under the Provisions of Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, 1988, in 2025. Two habitual offenders have already been detained under this provision. Additionally, brown sugar seizures nearly doubled, rising from 9 kg in 2024 to 18 kg in 2025. Although this marks a reduction compared to the 49 kg seized in 2021, arrests for brown sugar trafficking surged from 339 in 2024 to 719 in 2025, reflecting intensified efforts against narcotics networks.
The comprehensive report underscores Odisha Police's commitment to curbing drug trafficking through stringent enforcement, financial probes, and legal actions, setting a new benchmark in the fight against narcotics in India.
