Police and excise officials destroyed illegal opium cultivation worth nearly Rs 1 crore in Kusumadihi under Koida police limits in Sundargarh district.
Authorities raided government land spread across nine acres and uprooted opium plants. They detained two suspects linked to the racket. During a medical examination, one accused escaped police custody despite gunfire attempts to stop him.
The joint operation targeted organised opium and cannabis networks operating between Odisha and Jharkhand. Officers confirmed that the cultivation involved mafia groups with cross-border connections. Investigators continue to track associates and expand the probe.
Police emphasised that the crackdown aimed to prevent large-scale production and trafficking. The excise department coordinated closely to ensure the destruction of the entire crop. Officials highlighted the seriousness of the escape incident and initiated efforts to recapture the fugitive.
