Malkangiri/Koraput, Sept 30: The illegal trade in hashish oil, or cannabis oil, appears to be emerging as a growing challenge in Odisha’s Malkangiri and Koraput districts, with several cases being reported despite intensified enforcement by the Special Task Force (STF), police and excise officials.
In recent months, multiple cases linked to the alleged production and transportation of hashish oil have surfaced in and around Chitrakonda, pointing to a suspected inter-state network operating across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
Rs 5.5 Crore Hashish Oil Seized in Andhra Pradesh
In the latest case, police in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district arrested five persons and seized around 43 litres of hashish oil, reportedly valued at nearly Rs 5.5 crore.
According to police, the consignment was allegedly being transported from the Chitrakonda area through the Paderu route towards Palakkad in Kerala.
Three of the arrested persons were reportedly from the Malkangiri and Koraput areas. They were identified as Kamalu Khila (19) and Kalia Sharat (26) of Malkangiri, and Palasi Desi (28) from Paduwa in Koraput. Two others were from Kerala.
Police said the alleged key accused from Kerala, Arun Kumar, remains absconding and efforts are underway to trace him.
Seizures Worth Over Rs 300 Crore
According to the information provided by police, seizures linked to hashish oil from Malkangiri and Koraput have crossed Rs 300 crore in value.
Police said more than Rs 108 crore worth of hashish oil has been seized in Malkangiri since 2005, while seizures in Koraput this year have been estimated at around Rs 200 crore.
The cases have also resulted in several arrests, with investigators probing possible links to an organised inter-state network.
Chitrakonda Emerges as a Key Focus Area
Chitrakonda has repeatedly emerged in cases involving alleged hashish oil production and transportation.
In February this year, police reportedly detected an illegal hashish oil processing unit in a forest area under Chitrakonda police limits. Around 2 litres of hashish oil, 30.1 kg of ganja and other materials were seized, and four persons were arrested.
Another case was reported in May, when police allegedly detected a mobile unit linked to the illegal trade. During the operation, authorities seized cannabis, hashish oil and other materials and launched an investigation into suspected inter-state links.
The investigation also reportedly revealed connections to vehicles originating from Andhra Pradesh.
Koraput Operation Exposed Bigger Network
A major operation in Paduwa police limits of Koraput earlier this year brought another alleged network under the scanner.
Police reportedly seized around 1,000 kg of ganja and 1,800 litres of liquid cannabis, along with other materials, from an island area of the Jalaput reservoir.
Seven persons, including five from Kerala and two locals, were initially arrested. Police estimated the value of the seized liquid cannabis at around Rs 200 crore. The case has since led to further arrests, with investigators probing the alleged interstate and international links.
Kerala, Nepal and Thailand Links Under Probe
Investigators are also examining suspected links extending beyond Odisha and neighbouring states.
Police have claimed that the network had connections with Kerala, Nepal and Thailand. The investigation is reportedly focusing on how cannabis products were sourced, transported and distributed across state and international markets.
Authorities have also been examining financial transactions linked to the alleged network.
Why Hashish Oil Is a Concern
Hashish oil is a concentrated cannabis product containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of cannabis.
Because it is concentrated, even relatively small quantities can contain significant amounts of THC. The World Health Organization has noted that cannabis can affect attention, memory, thinking and coordination, while higher exposure can cause anxiety, agitation and other adverse effects in some people.
For law-enforcement agencies, the concentrated nature of such products also creates challenges in detecting and preventing their transportation.
Enforcement Tightens in Border Areas
Following a series of cases, police and excise officials have intensified surveillance in Chitrakonda and other border areas.
Officials are conducting raids based on intelligence inputs, checking suspicious vehicles and carrying out searches in vulnerable areas. Multiple teams have also been formed in some cases to trace absconding accused and investigate suspected inter-state links.
The repeated seizures have put the spotlight on the alleged expansion of the hashish oil trade in southern Odisha—and on the challenge of dismantling the network behind it.
