Odisha police have intensified its efforts against the illegal cannabis trade by using drones and satellite images from the Advanced Data Processing Research Institute (ADRIN) to destroy the illegal hemp cultivation across the state.

Illegal hemp plantations are a major source of income for the Maoist ultras, who allegedly patronize cultivation in the districts of their dominance, such as Malkangiri, Koraput and Kandhamal.

Odisha is known for hemp cultivation, and it has turned into a good source of income for Maoists in the tribal-dominated districts.

Odisha government is consciously trying to destroy hemp cultivation with an aim to end cannabis-related crimes. In 2023, it destroyed 220 tonnes of Marijuana and 78 kilograms of brown sugar.

Superintendent of police, Malkangiri Vinodh Patil H. told The Telegraph: “Cannabis trade is illegal. We need to destroy cannabis, which is believed to be the source of Maoists’ funding. Maoists’ activities has been contained in the districts. Now we are focusing on destroying the cannabis cultivation in a more co-ordinated way.”

Vinodh said: “A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Odisha director general of police (DGP) on Saturday regarding the destruction of illegal cultivation of cannabis in the affected districts — Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Boudh, Ganjam, Nawarangpur and Mayurbhanj.”

DGP office sources said all the senior officials of the state police, including officials of the state crime branch, attended the meeting. DGP YB Khurnia also visited the Maoist-hit belt of Malkangiri and Koraput and reviewed the progress made by the police to contain Maoist activities and to break the illegal trade of cannabis.

“Odisha impressed to locate the place of cultivation using drones, collection of human intelligence regarding topography and activities of local people indulging in cannabis cultivation, chalk out a proper plan to approach the place of cultivation, mobilization of manpower of different law enforcement agencies. In case the movement of Naxals in the core area of cultivation is found, a plan of operation with available Central Armed Police Force and Special Operation Group will be initiated,” said a police officer.

DGP YB Khurnia said: “We have decided to conduct regular inter-district and inter-departmental coordination meetings so that proper co-ordination can be maintained between different departments like revenue, forest, excise, etc. The SPs (Superintendent of police) are also instructed to discuss with the collectors for implementation of alternative development programme in the affected areas prone to illicit cultivation and requirement of funds.”

He said: “We are committed to end Naxalism by 2026 and to end ganja cultivation and trade in the state.”

Odisha police in a release said: “Destruction of illegal cannabis cultivation has been started from first week of this month and will continue till end of March. In the last week, Odisha police have destroyed illegal cannabis cultivation in an area of 267 acres of land.”

On Sunday, Odisha police busted a huge contraband ganja during illegal transportation at Baripada in Mayurbhanj district. They seized 50kg of Ganja, costing about ₹5 lakh, along with a car and also arrested two persons.