Baripada, Jan 19: Illegal opium cultivation in the foothill forests of Similipal was unearthed following a tip-off from reliable sources. Acting on the information, a joint team comprising Jashipur Police, the Forest Department, the Excise Department and the local Revenue Department conducted a coordinated raid and destroyed the opium plants.

Superintendent of Police Barun Guntupalli said the estimated value of the destroyed opium crop is around ₹2 crore. The cultivation was detected in the forest near Gopinathpur village under Astakuanr Panchayat within the jurisdiction of Jashipur police station.

Police registered two separate cases and carried out raids at two different locations. During the operation, 76,350 opium saplings were destroyed at one site, while another 19,500 saplings were uprooted from a second location.

Two cases have been registered at Jashipur police station, and further investigation is underway. The Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Karanjia stated that strict legal action will be taken against those involved in illegal opium cultivation.