In a shocking revelation, Odisha has seized narcotics valued at nearly Rs 200 crore over the past three years, with government officials implicated in the illicit drug trade.
Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan disclosed this information in the state assembly while responding to a query from Rairangpur MLA Sanjali Murmu.
According to the minister’s written response, from 2023 to October 2025, drugs worth ₹197.05 crore were confiscated across the state. The haul includes a staggering 89,723 kg of ganja, 87,829 grams of brown sugar, and 4,036 liters of cough syrup, among other substances.
What has raised eyebrows is the involvement of state officials in these operations. Action has been initiated against 26 government personnel accused of facilitating drug trafficking. Of these, five have been dismissed from service, while departmental proceedings are underway against the remaining 21.
Despite stepped-up enforcement efforts to curb smuggling, the excise department faces significant challenges due to staffing shortages. Currently, six DSP positions, 15 excise sub-inspector posts, and 666 constable vacancies remain unfilled. The minister assured that the recruitment process to address these gaps has already begun.
