In a major achievement in a joint raid by police and excise officials, illegal ganja plantations worth Rs 20 crore were destroyed and contraband worth Rs 4 crore was seized in Ganjam district on Tuesday.
Based on inputs from the Brahamapur Excise intelligence wing, a team led by Aska SDPO, Excise Deputy Superintendent Rosan Isu, local Tehsildar raided Krushanapur village under the Patapur police station and felled ganja trees planted in an area of 20 acres.
Besides, ganja worth Rs 4 crore was seized from the houses of some residents. A car was also seized during the raid. Getting information, Ganjam Additional SP Utkal Keshari Das rushed to the spot for investigations.
In another development, a team led by Mohana PS IIC Sujit Kumar Nayak, excise and revenue officials raided Manikpur panchayat under Mohana PS in Gajapati district and destroyed illegal ganja plantation in 81 acres. Plants worth Rs 16 crore were later burnt and destroyed.