By Our Correspondent
CUTTACK/BHUBANESWAR: Backed by able leadership of DGP Abhay, Crime Branch of Odisha Police manned by two more flamboyant IPS officers, read ADGP(Crime Branch) Soumendra Priyadarshi and DIG(STF) JN Pankaj, the agency has created record in seizer of Cannabis. Koraput, Malkangiri and Gajpati under the south-western and southern police ranges are now hot bed for cannabis cultivation and trading. With DGP Abhay leading from the front and ADGP Priyadarshi and DIG Pankaj executing meticulously, both traders and middle men are on run in Odisha.
Police said total seizure of 1054 Qtl in January 2020 – September 2020 is a record seizure, higher than seizure of any year .Average seizure of past ten years is 312 quintal. Average seizure of last five years is 414 quintal. During current year 2020, following three districts has done maximum seizure as noted against them.
Police said in 2010 the figure was 73 Qtl followed by 208 Qtl in 2011, 107 Qtl in 2012, 371 Qtl in 2013 , 288 Qtl in 2014, 198 Qtl in 2015, 428 Qtl in 2016, 304 Qtl in 2017, 523 Qtl in 2018,618 Qtl in 2019
Action against drug trafficking remains among highest priorities of Odisha Government. Accordingly, Odisha Police has accelerated concerted drive against Brown Sugar and Ganja/Cannabis during the current year. Odisha Police has been sharing its achievements in combating Brown Sugar trafficking regularly. This release through media shares achievements against Ganja/Cannabis trafficking.
The State Police has reached a milestone of seizure of over one thousand quintal seizure of Ganja/Cannabis till end of September, 2020 which is highest record seizure in any year by Odisha Police. The details of seizure by Odisha Police since 2010 are as follows :Koraput – 413.14 Qtl, Malkangiri- 240.66 Qtl, Gajapati- 126.58 Qtl.
DGP has written special appreciation letter to each of the district police chiefs.Apart from seizure – Odisha Police has intensified financial investigation against the organized gangs behind such trafficking. Odisha Police is determined to combat the drug trafficking in Odisha.
