BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Police will soon form a special Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) headed by an additional DGP (ADGP) rank officer to crack down on drug trafficking and organised narcotics networks in the state.
Addressing a programme organised at Police Bhawan on Wednesday to mark the national-level pre-trial drug destruction special drive, DGP YB Khurania said the specialised task force will comprise 10 operational units and 19 dedicated intelligence units strategically deployed across the state to identify and dismantle interstate drug syndicates.
He said the ANTF will be mobilised to initiate stringent action against major drug mafia under the NDPS Act. At least 100 such mafia will be taken to task every year. The task force will also help identify drug hotspots across the state and act to neutralise them systematically.
“Apart from ANTF, financial investigations are being prioritised to completely dismantle the economic backbone of drug syndicates in the state. Special emphasis is being placed on identifying the masterminds and financiers behind illegal cannabis cultivation,” Khurania said.
As part of the initiative, he said more than 63,720 acre of illegal cannabis cultivation, with an estimated value of Rs 1,911 crore, has been destroyed during the statewide enforcement drive conducted between July 2024 and March 2026.
During this period, 2,445 NDPS cases were registered, 421 tonne of cannabis valued at approximately Rs 2,106 crore were seized and 3,502 accused persons arrested in this connection.
Koraput district police achieved a significant breakthrough in the anti-narcotics campaign by raiding an illegal cannabis oil manufacturing unit and seizing around 1,800 litre of cannabis oil, valued at around `225 crore. Four key accused involved in the racket were arrested from Kerala, said the DGP.
Similarly, the Special Task Force (STF) has arrested two active members of an interstate drug trafficking gang operating across Kandhamal, Boudh, Sonepur and neighbouring states. “To expedite the trial of narcotics-related offences, the state government has also approved establishment of four dedicated NDPS courts at Bhubaneswar, Khurda, Angul and Sambalpur,” Khurania informed. He noted that the fight against drug trafficking, narcotics smuggling and drug mafia will be intensified in the coming days.
“There will be absolutely no leniency towards those who violate the law. Through coordinated enforcement, advanced technology, public participation and unwavering determination, Odisha Police remains firmly committed to building a drug-free, safe and empowered Odisha,” the DGP said.
