Koraput: Koraput police unearthed a sprawling plantation spread over nearly 10 acres in the hilly terrain near Disariguda village in Lenjiiguda forest area under Padwa police limits and destroyed around 12,000 cannabis plants in a day-long operation on Thursday.Acting on a tip-off about illegal ganja cultivation, a team from Padwa police station conducted a raid in the area in the presence of an executive magistrate. The plants, which were around 4 to 5 ft tall, were uprooted and destroyed, said Koraput SP Rohit Verma.During the operation, police caught three persons allegedly tending the plantation and planting cannabis crops. The arrested persons were identified as Jayaram Gemel (30) of Disariguda and Hasya Khara (45) and Ghasi Gemel (42), both residents of Lenjiiguda.Police also seized two plastic buckets, two spades and a half-used jari sack containing urea fertiliser from the spot, suggesting that the plantation was being actively maintained. Verma said the police would intensify its crackdown on illegal cannabis cultivation and the trafficking of narcotic substances across the district, particularly in remote and hilly areas where such plantations are often concealed. “We are committed to make Koraput free from illegal narcotic activities. Cannabis cultivation in remote and hilly areas often remains hidden from public view, but we are strengthening intelligence gathering and field operations to identify and dismantle such plantations,” Verma said.He stressed that tackling the narcotics menace required the active participation of local communities and urged villagers to alert police about illegal cultivation, storage, transportation or sale of drugs. “The police cannot fight this menace alone. We need the cooperation of villagers, parents, youth, educational institutions and public representatives. Timely information from the public can help us prevent illegal cultivation and trafficking,” the SP said.Verma appealed to people to share information about narcotics-related activities with the nearest police station, assuring that the identity of genuine informants would be kept confidential in accordance with law and procedure. The latest operation is part of Koraput police continuing efforts to curb illegal cannabis cultivation and dismantle the network involved in the production and trafficking of narcotic substances in the district.
