Odisha Seizes Rs 200 Crore Worth of Narcotics; 26 Officials Face Action
Bhubaneswar: In a startling revelation, Odisha has confiscated narcotics valued at nearly Rs 200 crore over the past three years, exposing deep-rooted challenges in the state’s fight against drug trafficking.
Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan disclosed the figures in the Odisha Assembly while responding to a query from Rairangpur MLA Sanjali Murmu.
According to official records, between 2023 and October 2025, enforcement agencies seized 89,723 kg of ganja, 87,829 grams of brown sugar, and 4,036 litres of cough syrup, among other substances.
What has shocked many is the involvement of government officials in facilitating the illicit trade. Action has been initiated against 26 personnel, with five dismissed from service and departmental proceedings are underway against 21 others.
Despite intensified enforcement, the excise department continues to grapple with staffing shortages. Six DSP posts, 15 excise sub-inspector positions, and 666 constable vacancies remain unfilled, hampering operations.
The minister assured that recruitment processes are underway to strengthen the department’s capacity.
The revelations highlight both the scale of narcotics smuggling in Odisha and the institutional vulnerabilities that complicate enforcement.
