Koraput, Nov 20: Intensifying the crackdown against illegal cultivation of ganja, in a joint operation, Koraput police, forest and excise officials destroyed ganja cultivation in Machkund area of Koraput district on Saturday.

According to the report, officials had traced the cultivation with the help of a drone.

Subsequently, a team of Machkund, Koraput police, DVF, forest and excise officials raided an area near Jabagad village under Machkund police limits and destroyed the cannabis cultivation spread across 40 acres of land in the presence of Koraput magistrate.

Its estimated worth is over Rs 40 crore.

Officials are aiming to destroy 60 to 70 acres of cultivation by this evening.

The illegal supply can be stopped in this area by completely destroying the cultivation in Nandapur, Padwa and Lamtaput areas, which the police have aimed to destroy by the end of this year, said Nandapur SDPO.