Crime in Odisha / Railways Intensify Crackdown on Narcotics, Deploys Sniffer Dogs

Bhubaneswar, Sep 21: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has intensified its crackdown on narcotics smuggling through trains under Operation Narcos.

To strengthen surveillance, 18 new sniffer dogs have been inducted into the East Coast Railway’s canine squad, of which 15 will be specially trained to detect narcotics.

With this addition, the total number of dogs rises to 33, and 20 will be deployed exclusively for drug detection across trains, platforms, luggage areas, and sensitive zones.

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Their training begins on October 25 and will conclude by March 2027, after which they will be fully operational.

Alongside canine units, RPF is also deploying CCTV cameras, baggage scanners, drones, and advanced analytics systems to track suspicious movements. Joint operations are being conducted in coordination with GRP, state police, and other enforcement agencies.

The move comes amid a major narcotics bust in Koraput district, where the STF seized hashish oil worth ₹225 crore. Investigations revealed that temporary units near Jalaput reservoir forests were being used to produce hashish oil.

Earlier in February, Koraput police had seized 1,800 litres of hashish oil and large quantities of ganja.

So far, seven people have been arrested in connection with the case, while several accused remain absconding. The STF is probing interstate links, with networks stretching from Kerala to Andhra Pradesh. Arrested suspects are being interrogated under remand, and efforts are underway to nab the remaining mafia operatives.

According to RPF data, between January and August this year, 75 cases of narcotics smuggling were detected. Authorities seized 1,079.642 kg of ganja worth ₹3.6 crore, along with 60 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup. A total of 92 individuals involved in drug trafficking were arrested.