The state excise department in Cooch Behar has launched a drive against illegal cannabis cultivators.

Under the drive, being conducted in association with the district land and land reforms department, the owner of a plot on which such illegal cultivation has been carried out will be traced and prosecuted.

Cannabis are extensively cultivated in different areas of Cooch Behar-I and II blocks and in some localities of Dinhata and Mekhliganj sub-divisions.

“In the past few years, the crop pattern has changed in many areas of the district. A section of farmers who used to cultivate paddy, jute or vegetables are cultivating cannabis now. This is because a single plant of cannabis fetches Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000, which is much more than other crops. The increase in earnings has drawn a section of farmers to this crop,” said a source in the district agricultural department.

Every year, the saplings are planted during the monsoon and the plants are harvested ahead of the winter and sold, mostly to members of narcotic smuggling rackets, sources said.

Police and the state excise department conducts drives every year to curb the illegal practice. Tonnes of plants are chopped off before harvest and set on fire.

“However, during most of these drives, no arrests can be made as no one comes up as a claimant. That is why we have planned to take the help of the district land and land reforms department to track the owner of the plot,” said Sumit Kumar, the district police chief.