BHUBANESWAR: With illegal cultivation, storage and trading of hemp reaching an ‘alarming’ level in the State, the Government has directed Excise officials to increase checking and enforcement activities.
Most of the cannabis seizures by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Customs took place in southern districts including Boudh, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Gajapati. The traders and transporters of cannabis are reportedly using students as courier agents to dodge security.
A vehicle with Odisha registration number and government’s signage was recently intercepted in Kolkata and some bags of cannabis were recovered. NCB and DRI officers recovered hemp in the past from specially-created chambers fitted to the fuel chambers of vehicles.
The government officials stressed that illegal cultivation and trading of hemp was having a deleterious effect on the society, and observed that organised mafia were behind the cannabis business in the State. The officials also expressed apprehension over alleged complicity between hemp traders and some local enforcement officials.
The officials directed the Excise officers for strengthening intelligence collection and enforcement activities at State, division and district levels on cultivation of hemp, storage and transportation of cannabis. Besides this, the officials also instructed that district-level multi-disciplinary squads should collect specific intelligence on hemp cultivation and transportation.
Cannabis cultivated on 4,407.73 acres in eight districts of Odisha has been destroyed in 2017-18, against a target of 3,050 acres. During, 2015-2016 and 2016-2017, the figure was 2,457.73 acres and 3, 599.191 acres respectively.
“About 2,400 acres of cannabis cultivation in Kandhamal district, 700 acres in Rayagada district, 300 acres in Gajapati district, 100 acres in Malkangiri district, was destroyed in the 2016-17,” a NCB officer said.
Police sources said, the demand for marijuana filled cigarettes among the youth has increased with easy availability of the contraband sold under the guise of other businesses.
A letter in this regard was written by Principal Secretary in the Excise Department Nikunja Bihari Dhal to Excise Commissioner, Excise Deputy Commissioners (EDC) and Collectors.