The Shimla police have destroyed approximately 10 lakh illegally cultivated cannabis plants in Kofardhar (Nagarh) under Chopal tehsil in Himachal Pradesh. A case under Sections 20, 61, and 85 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, has been registered against unidentified persons for cultivating the plants.
Discovery and Destruction Operation
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shimla, Gaurav Singh, stated that on July 5, a team from Nerwa Police Station was patrolling the village area when they discovered illegally cultivated cannabis spread across approximately 10 bighas of land. Upon investigation, the police found that around 5,000 plants had been cultivated on each bigha, bringing the estimated total to 10 lakh plants. The police subsequently destroyed the plants and registered a case.
“Samples of 40 cannabis plants have been seized from various locations as per the regulations. The remaining illegal cannabis plants have been destroyed as per the regulations after completing the necessary legal formalities,” SSP Singh said.
Legal Action and Investigation
The SSP confirmed that the police are conducting an investigation and are also identifying the persons who cultivated the plants. He emphasized that stern action would be taken against the culprits. The case has been registered under relevant sections of the NDPS Act, which prohibit the cultivation of cannabis without a license.
This operation is part of ongoing efforts by the Shimla police to curb illegal narcotics cultivation in the region. The destruction of such a large number of plants is expected to significantly impact the local drug supply chain.
