Massive Narcotics Bust: Odisha Police Seize 1,800 Litres of Hashish Oil in Koraput Forest Operation
In a landmark anti-narcotics operation, police in Koraput district, Odisha, have executed one of the largest seizures of hashish oil in recent history. On Thursday, law enforcement authorities confiscated more than 1,800 litres of hashish oil, commonly referred to as liquid ganja, with an estimated street value of approximately Rs 200 crore. The contraband was discovered deep within the dense forests of Koraput district, marking a significant victory in the ongoing battle against organized drug trafficking networks.
Comprehensive Seizure and Dismantling of Illegal Infrastructure
Beyond the substantial haul of hashish oil, police officials also recovered over 1,000 kilograms of dried ganja, valued at around Rs 5 crore. The operation involved the complete dismantling of temporary infrastructure that had been erected within the forest specifically for processing the illicit substances. This included equipment and materials used in the extraction and refinement of hashish oil, which were seized from the site. According to senior police officers, the raid remains ongoing as investigators continue to gather evidence and secure the area.
Strategic Operation Following Interstate Coordination
The successful raid comes just days after a crucial interstate coordination meeting between enforcement agencies from Odisha and neighboring Andhra Pradesh. Chaired by DIG (SWR) Kanwar Vishal Singh, the meeting focused on strategies to curb ganja smuggling along the porous border shared by the two states. Senior officers emphasized that this operation exemplifies the enhanced intelligence sharing and joint enforcement strategy that was solidified during those discussions.
DIG Singh confirmed that the masterminds behind the temporary manufacturing unit for liquid ganja have been identified and are expected to be apprehended shortly. "Equipment and materials used in the extraction and processing of hashish oil were also recovered from the site. The raid is still on," the DIG stated, highlighting the thoroughness of the police action.
Challenging Terrain and Covert Approach
The high-impact raid was conducted in an extremely remote jungle area along the Jholaput reservoir, under the jurisdiction of the Padua police station. This region, situated along the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border, has long been exploited by drug syndicates due to its forbidding terrain and limited accessibility. Koraput Superintendent of Police Rohit Verma, who meticulously planned and led the operation, described the manufacturing unit as located in a virtually inaccessible pocket surrounded by dense forest, steep gradients, and water barriers.
"There are no direct motorable roads to the site. To avoid detection and prevent any leakage of information, we approached the location discreetly by boats across the reservoir and then trekked several miles through thick undergrowth before storming the makeshift facility," Verma explained. This covert approach was critical in ensuring the element of surprise, as such forest-based units are typically designed for quick assembly and dismantling, allowing operators to abandon sites and vanish into the wilderness with minimal evidence left behind.
Intelligence-Driven Success and Strong Message to Syndicates
This time, however, precise intelligence inputs and meticulous planning ensured that the drug network was caught off guard. DIG Singh asserted that the seizure sends a strong and unambiguous message to interstate narcotics syndicates that have attempted to use the Odisha-Andhra border as a safe production and transit corridor. "This is one of the largest hashish oil seizures in recent times and a direct blow to organised interstate drug networks. The accused deliberately chose an extremely difficult location, believing the terrain would shield them from law enforcement. They were wrong," DIG Singh declared.
Outcome of Renewed Enforcement Resolve
Referring to the recent interstate coordination meeting, the DIG emphasized that this crackdown is a direct outcome of a renewed resolve to strike at the very roots of the narcotics supply chain. "It was resolved during the meeting that we would intensify intelligence sharing and undertake coordinated, technology-driven operations to dismantle the supply chain at its source. This seizure is a concrete outcome of that strategy. We are no longer limiting ourselves to intercepting carriers; we are targeting and destroying the manufacturing backbone of these networks," Singh elaborated.
The operation not only represents a significant financial blow to drug trafficking operations but also underscores the effectiveness of collaborative law enforcement efforts in tackling complex criminal enterprises operating in challenging environments.
