Bhubaneswar, Jun 24: In a determined effort to curb the menace of illegal liquor and narcotics, the Odisha Excise Department has launched a sweeping crackdown across the state.

According to official data for the financial year 2024–25, a staggering 73,774 cases were registered, leading to the arrest of 58,429 individuals involved in the illicit trade.

The department’s enforcement drive led to the seizure of approximately 28 lakh bulk litres of toxic liquor, 34,679 kilograms of ganja (cannabis), 28,575 grams of brown sugar, and 3,97,725 kilograms of mahua flowers, a key ingredient in country-made liquor. These figures reflect the scale of the illegal trade and the government’s intensified efforts to dismantle it.

In addition to seizures, the department destroyed over 1.27 crore ganja plants spread across 9,418 acres of land in various districts. This large-scale destruction is part of a broader strategy to eliminate the cultivation of narcotic crops at the source.

The crackdown is being carried out under a zero-tolerance policy, with the state government also considering amendments to existing excise laws to impose stricter penalties and enhance enforcement capabilities.

The Excise Department is working in coordination with law enforcement agencies to ensure that the illegal production, transportation, and sale of intoxicants are effectively curbed.

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