Central Bureau of Narcotics Officials seized over 6,000 kgs of Poppy Straw from Rajasthan and MP

In continuance of Anti-Drug operations, on the basis of specific intelligence, officers of Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), Neemuch, intercepted a Mahindra Trailer truck near Shri Dev Narayan Bhojnalay on Udaipur-Bhilwara highway, Gangrar, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, and seized 267 Plastic bags of Poppy Straw (Doda Chura) weighing 5,057.300 kg (including 55 bags of CPS (Concentrated/ Unlanced Poppy Straw) weighing 824.200 kg) on 07.1.2024.

After receiving precise intelligence that a Mahindra Trailer truck with the registration number of Rajasthan will transport a large quantity of Poppy Straw (Doda Chura), a team of officers from CBN Neemuch was constituted and despatched on 07.1.2024. After rigorous observation of the suspected route, CBN personnel successfully spotted and intercepted the vehicle near Shri Dev Narayan Bhojnalay on the Udaipur-Bhilwara highway in Gangrar, Chittorgarh.

To cover up the poppy straw, the vehicle carried 120 bags of cattle feed. The truck was thoroughly investigated at the CBN Office, and a total of 267 plastic bags of poppy straw weighing 5057.300 kg were found. Following the fulfilment of legal requirements, the recovered poppy straw, cow feed and caravan were seized, and one individual was detained under the provisions of the NDPS Act of 1985.

In another case of smuggling of poppy straw, on the basis of specific intelligence, officers of Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), Chittorgarh, along with support of DNC office Neemuch searched a house in village Dhakdi PS Pipaliya Mandi, district-Mandsaur (M P) and recovered 1131.900 kg poppy straw in 57 plastic bags on 06.01.24.

The house’s owner attempted to flee in the dark, but alert CBN officers arrested him successfully. Following the completion of legal requirements, the recovered poppy straw was seized, and one person was arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act of 1985.

The year 2023 was one of the most successful years for the Central Bureau of Narcotics (MP Unit) in combating smuggling contraband.

In 2023, record-breaking anti-narcotics operations were carried out, with 116 seizures resulting in the arrest of 150 people and the seizure of 87 vehicles.

Different and unique modes of operation were exposed. The total amount of drugs seized was roughly 70 tonnes, which included poppy straw (Doda Chura), opium (Afeem), heroin (Brown Sugar), cannabis (Ganja), M.D. powder, codeine phosphate syrups, and so on. This is the highest number of cases reported in a single year in CBN history. Approximately Rs. 1 crore in cash was also seized during these searches. During many of these interceptions, official cars were damaged during high-speed chases with multiple shooting situations.

The Central Bureau of Narcotics conducted the largest illicit opium poppy crop destruction operation in India to date, Operation “PRAHAAR,” which successfully destroyed 10,326 hectares (25,526 acres) of illicit opium in the states of Arunachal Pradesh (8,501 hectares) and Manipur (1,825 hectares), despite adverse terrain and safety risks.

Operation “SHAKTI” was launched in Himachal Pradesh, and CBN officers destroyed 1,124 hectares (2,777 acres) of illegal Cannabis (Ganja) production. This was also the largest illicit Ganja destruction operation carried out by the CBN in Himachal Pradesh.

Along with anti-narcotic activities, disposal of seized drugs was prioritised, resulting in the disposal of over 104 tonnes of illegal drugs seized in 86 cases, the biggest in CBN history. Discarded narcotics included Poppy Straw (Doda Chura), Opium (Afeem), Heroin (Brown Sugar), Cannabis (Ganja), M.D. Powder, Codeine Phosphate syrups, and several psychotropic tablets.