Odisha Identifies Six Inter-State Drug Syndicates, Steps Up Anti-Narcotics Measures

Bhubaneswar: Around 2.68 lakh students across Odisha were sensitised about the harmful effects of substance abuse through 1,751 awareness programmes conducted during a fortnight-long anti-drug drive, the State-level Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) meeting was informed on Saturday.

The special campaign, held from August 16 to 31, was among the measures reviewed at the eighth state-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg at Lok Seva Bhawan. The meeting also discussed enforcement action against drug networks, prevention of illegal cultivation and ways to keep young people away from substance abuse.

The State STF and NCORD presented details of ongoing enforcement and awareness initiatives. A state-level campaign has identified six inter-state drug syndicates, with action initiated against their illegal operations.

Garg called for stronger coordination among departments to curb illicit trafficking and consumption of narcotics. She stressed the need to combine enforcement with public awareness, de-addiction services, youth engagement and alternative livelihood opportunities in vulnerable areas.

The meeting reviewed plans to strengthen de-addiction centres and increase opportunities for young people to participate in sports and creative activities. Garg asked officials to prepare annual district-level sports calendars, particularly for vulnerable districts.

She also urged authorities to declare educational institutions drug-free zones, ensure regular monitoring of students and conduct awareness programmes on the adverse effects of substance abuse. Steps should be taken to prevent paan shops from operating near educational institutions, she said.

Preventing illegal narcotics cultivation was another key issue discussed at the meeting. Awareness programmes on the NDPS Act are being conducted in 198 villages across 80 hotspot Gram Panchayats in 22 blocks. Officials said satellite imagery and remote sensing technology would be used to monitor areas vulnerable to illegal cannabis cultivation and identify possibilities for alternative farming.

The Chief Secretary called for village-level workshops to familiarise communities with alternative cultivation practices and livelihood opportunities. She also directed joint teams of various departments to conduct regular inspections, surprise raids and monitoring to check the illegal trade and consumption of narcotics.

District-level NCORD committees will be strengthened to ensure effective coordination among departments. The meeting also reviewed pending cases involving foreign nationals, appeals against acquittals and the implementation of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. Social media outreach, perception management and public feedback mechanisms were also discussed.

Additional Chief Secretary of the Home and Information & Public Relations departments Hemant Sharma, DGP Vinayotosh Mishra, IG (STF) Himanshu Lal, DIG (STF) Dr K.V. Singh, senior officials from various departments, the DDG and Zonal Director of NCB, Bhubaneswar, Head of the Odisha Maritime Board, and representatives of the Navy, CISF, Bhubaneswar Airport, Railways and Paradip Port attended the meeting.