In a significant crackdown on illegal cultivation, a massive joint enforcement team raided and destroyed thousands of cannabis plants in the forested hills of Keonjhar district on Saturday. The operation targeted the remote areas near Sunajhari village, dealing a blow to the burgeoning illicit drug trade in the region.
Major Blow to Cannabis Cultivation in Remote Hills
The enforcement squad, comprising a formidable force of 70 members from the forest, excise, and police departments, conducted simultaneous raids at eight different locations. These sites were all situated in the Kanjipani section of the Bhuyan Juanga Pidha range, known for its dense and difficult terrain. The team successfully destroyed approximately 5,200 almost mature cannabis (ganja) plants in a single day's operation.
Divisional Forest Officer Dhanraj H D of Keonjhar division revealed the staggering market value of the seized contraband. The estimated street value of the destroyed plants was around Rs 1.2 crore, highlighting the scale of the illegal operation that was disrupted.
Cannabis Mafia Expands to New Districts
This raid underscores a worrying trend in Odisha. Authorities report that after establishing strongholds in districts like Kandhamal, Boudh, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, and Sambalpur, the organized cannabis mafia has now spread its tentacles to Keonjhar. The forested and hilly Banspal block and its adjacent areas have become a new hotspot for this illicit activity.
The problem is concentrated in the remote, forested, and hilly terrain of the Banspal block within the Bhuyan Juanga Pirha range. This area's isolation has made it an attractive location for illegal farmers, posing a significant challenge for law enforcement and becoming a major concern for local communities and officials alike.
Ongoing Battle and Unanswered Questions
The recent raid is part of a larger, sustained effort against cannabis cultivation in Keonjhar. According to forest department estimates, over 22,000 illicit cannabis plants, with an estimated worth of Rs 3 crore, have been destroyed in the district in just the last three months. This indicates a persistent and large-scale illegal farming operation.
However, a key mystery remains unresolved following Saturday's operation. Despite the successful destruction of the crop, no arrests were made by the police, excise, or forest departments. The exact reason for the absence of arrests has not been disclosed, with officials neither finding a clear cause nor providing detailed information on the matter. The forest department maintains that regular patrolling is conducted in these areas, primarily to monitor elephant movement and poachers, which also aids in detecting such illegal plantations.
The operation near Sunajhari village signals a renewed focus by Odisha's authorities on curbing the spread of the cannabis trade into new districts, even as they grapple with the logistical challenges of policing vast, remote forest ranges.
