In a major crackdown on illegal cannabis cultivation, police in Madhya Pradesh have seized cannabis plants valued at approximately ₹12.65 lakh in two separate operations in Sardarpur and Sendhwa. Both raids, conducted on Saturday, led to the arrest of two individuals involved in illegal cannabis farming in fields mixed with other crops.
Sardarpur Raid: 160 Cannabis Plants Hidden Among Crops
In Sardarpur, police from the Rajod station seized around 210 kg of cannabis plants worth ₹10 lakh. Acting on a tip-off, officers raided a field in Gondikheda Thakur village, where they found 160 cannabis plants concealed among maize and ginger crops. The field owner, identified as Chhagan, was taken into custody, and a case was registered against him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
According to officials, cannabis growers have been employing strategies to hide their illegal crops among legitimate agricultural plants, making detection more difficult. Police are intensifying surveillance and enforcement in agricultural areas as part of a broader effort to dismantle local drug networks.
Sendhwa Raid: Cannabis Found in Cotton Field
In a separate operation in Sendhwa, Varla police raided a cotton field in Deoli Bad Falya village. There, officers confiscated 67 cannabis plants, weighing 53 kg and valued at around ₹2.65 lakh. Following intelligence reports of illicit cannabis cultivation in the area, station in-charge Saurabh Batham led a team to the field owned by Kirta Kirade, aged 48, who was subsequently arrested. The confiscated plants were destroyed, and Kirade faces charges under the NDPS Act.
Increasing Crackdowns Across Madhya Pradesh
The latest raids reflect Madhya Pradesh’s escalating efforts to tackle illegal cannabis farming, which has become a pressing concern in several regions. The use of traditional agricultural fields to hide cannabis plants highlights the complexity of addressing rural drug cultivation. Police officials have stressed the importance of community intelligence to help law enforcement locate concealed plantations.
In recent months, Madhya Pradesh has witnessed a surge in drug-related enforcement actions, with law enforcement agencies working to disrupt the cultivation and trade of cannabis and other controlled substances. The police are also considering the implementation of drone surveillance in high-risk agricultural zones to identify and eradicate illegal crops.
