Drugs worth Rs 197.05 crore have been seized across Odisha in the last three years, between 2023 and October 2025, as per data presented in the state Assembly by the Excise Minister. The breakdown includes 89,723 kg of ganja, 87,829 grams of brown sugar, and 4,036 bulk litres of cough syrup, reflecting a sustained operation against drug trafficking rackets functioning across multiple districts.
The disclosure has triggered debates on whether Odisha is heading towards a situation similar to ‘Udta Punjab’, with concerns mounting over the state becoming a potential narcotics hotspot. This has intensified the political blame game, with the Congress and BJD accusing each other of negligence, while the BJP claims that the rise in seizure figures is a result of the current government’s heightened crackdown.
“Where did such a huge amount of cough syrup come from? What is the Excise and Health Department doing? Two years passed by, and the ruling BJP cannot say that they had no time. They cannot just blame the previous government, but focus on their own work,” questioned Congress MLA CS Raazen Ekka.
Also Read: Brown Sugar racket busted in Bhubaneswar: 3 arrested, drugs worth Rs 45 lakh seized
Likewise, BJP MLA Ramakant Bhoi stated, “The rate at which drug prevalence is increasing, I fear entire Odisha will be filled with drugs. If the BJP government doesn’t take immediate precautions, this will prove costly for our state. The current government is doing nothing compared to our government.”
However, BJP leaders argued that drug trafficking flourished during the previous regime, and the strong action being taken now is exposing the depth of the problem.
“During the previous government, drugs sale was seen in almost every household. But, our government has started a revolution against drugs and ganja,” claimed BJP MLA Ashwini Sarangi.
However, the most shocking revelation concerns the involvement of government officials in the illicit drug trade. Assembly records confirm that 26 officials have been linked to narcotics operations. Out of them, five officials have already been dismissed, while action has been initiated against the remaining 21.
Despite the government’s aggressive anti-drug operations, systemic challenges continue to hinder progress. The Excise Department is grappling with severe staff shortages, with vacancies for 6 DSPs, 15 Excise SIs, and 666 constable posts, the Minister informed the House, adding that the recruitment process for these positions will begin soon to strengthen enforcement capacity.
