Koraput, Feb 27: A major cannabis oil manufacturing unit, located on an island in the Jalaput Reservoir in Koraput district, Odisha, was dismantled by police on Friday. This follows a significant seizure of cannabis oil worth Rs 200 crore in the region just days earlier.

The discovery comes as part of an intensified investigation into the illegal trafficking of cannabis oil. The authorities are focusing their efforts on identifying the mastermind behind the operation and the network of associates involved in the production and distribution of the contraband.

One suspect has been arrested, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the full scale of the racket. Strict surveillance measures have been enforced around the island, which investigators believe served as the central hub for this illicit operation.

According to police sources, hundreds of kilograms of cannabis were transported daily to the island. The raw cannabis was processed into oil, which was subsequently bottled and packed for distribution. Mafia operatives were involved in the trafficking of this narcotic substance.

The operation, which was based in a dense forest area, has now been successfully dismantled by the Koraput police. The site, which lacked road connectivity, was accessed by police teams using boats to navigate through the Jalaput Reservoir. Drones were also deployed to monitor movements and to search for any additional manufacturing units in the vicinity.

Koraput Superintendent of Police, Rohit Verma, described the challenges involved in accessing the site: “Reaching the island was a significant hurdle due to the absence of road access. We used boats to reach the island, where we uncovered a temporary manufacturing unit. During the raid, we seized 1,800 litres of cannabis oil and one tonne of ganja, valued at over Rs 200 crore. The search operation is still ongoing, with drones being used to locate any other units nearby.”

The breakthrough came after a person was arrested by Jeypore police for possessing cannabis oil. During interrogation, the accused provided vital information that led to the identification of the island-based facility. Investigators believe the manufacturing unit was set up after the water levels around the island receded, allowing for illegal activity to take place.

In the raid, police recovered several jerrycans and drums filled with cannabis oil, alongside ganja worth several crores. The consignment was reportedly being prepared for smuggling at the time of the police operation. Authorities are working to trace and arrest the remaining individuals involved in the racket, with the accused on-site fleeing as police approached.