Bhubaneswar: Odisha police have targetted to secure preventive detention of 100 notorious drug traffickers over the next year, invoking stringent provisions of Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, 1988.The Act empowers police authorities to confine habitual drug offenders in jail for up to a year, thereby disrupting and dismantling their illegal networks.“For 2026-27, our aim is to ensure that at least 100 drug smugglers remain inside jails under the PIT-NDPS Act. We also expect an improvement in conviction rates as the govt has recently notified the establishment of four dedicated NDPS courts — at Bhubaneswar, Khurda, Angul and Sambalpur,” DGP Y B Khurania said on Wednesday.The DGP underscored the importance of financial investigation and early disposal of seized contraband. “About 80 tonnes of cannabis, 11.4 kg of brown sugar, and 3,638 bottles of banned cough syrup — together valued at around Rs 410 crore — will be destroyed at six designated incinerators in Khurda, Angul, Balasore, Ganjam, Balangir, Koraput and Sundargarh by July 10 as part of a nationwide pre-trial drug destruction drive,” he said.Though the law has existed for decades, it was rarely invoked in Odisha. “Our conviction rate in drug cases was low due to the absence of exclusive NDPS courts. With four new courts, we can expect expeditious trials. Our personnel are being trained to raise the standard of investigation and prosecution,” Khurania added.The DGP has also directed district SPs to trace properties of traffickers and initiate legal proceedings for confiscation. “We are determined to hit the drug mafia not only through arrests but also by crippling their financial backbone. With preventive detention, dedicated courts, and destruction of seized stockpiles, we hope to send a strong message to traffickers and strengthen deterrence against repeat offenders,” said special task force DIG Kanwar Vishal Singh.
