Odisha Police destroys 2.2 lakh kg of marijuana, 78 kg of brown sugar – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha police destroyed 220 tonnes of cannabis and 78 kilograms of brown sugar in the last one year creating a record in the disposal of banned drug substances, the official said on Saturday.
As per the official, 220 tonnes of ganja were seized in 1434 cases while brown sugar was seized in 129 cases.
The police described the destruction of the seized narcotics as a complex legal and administrative process involving the judiciary, police, forensic science laboratory, pollution, excise, revenue and central Government’s Chief controllers, opium and Alkaloid departments.
The drug destruction drive was carried out on 10 June last year on directions of the Orissa High Court. The drug disposal was conducted in accordance with an SOP for early certification and authentication of seized narcotics drugs.
“The first such drug disposal and destruction took place on 10th June 2022. And within one year Odisha Police destroyed record 220 Tons (2, 20,000 Kg) of seized Ganja (marijuana/cannabis) in 1434 cases and more than 78 Kg of brown sugar/ Heroin in 129 cases following very strict rules and regulations,” said Jayanarayan Pankaj IG STF Odisha.
He further said that the seized contrabands are disposed of as per sub-section (3) of section 52A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
“For the destruction of drugs, a committee is formed in each district under the chairmanship of Superintendent of Police [SP]. The Excise Superintendent,…