Odisha Police anti-crime drive: 5,703 NBWs executed in 18 days
Synopsis
In 18 days, Odisha Police executed over 5,700 pending warrants, seized nearly 7,400 kg of ganja, collected ₹6.46 crore in drunk-driving fines, and dismantled illegal mining operations — all under a single coordinated drive. The scale signals a structural shift in how the state is deploying police power against organised crime.
Key Takeaways
Odisha Police launched a special enforcement drive on 12 May under directions from DGP Y.B.
5,703 pending non-bailable warrants (NBWs) were executed and 520 accused persons arrested in 18 days .
Anti-narcotics operations yielded seizures of 7,398 kg of ganja , 220 grams of heroin , and 586 grams of brown sugar ; 97 NDPS cases registered.
Road safety enforcement netted fines of ₹6.46 crore against 3,293 drunk-driving offenders.
Illegal mining crackdown: 654 cases , 162 arrests , and 878 vehicles and machines seized.
39 firearms and 29 rounds of ammunition recovered in 31 arms cases .
Odisha Police has significantly stepped up its statewide enforcement campaign since 12 May, executing 5,703 pending non-bailable warrants (NBWs) and arresting 520 accused persons across the state in just 18 days. The special drive, launched on the directions of Odisha Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania, is being conducted across all police ranges under the supervision of district Superintendents of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack.
Scope and Command Structure
The operation is being run under the direct oversight of Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar. It targets a broad spectrum of criminal activity — from executing pending warrants and arresting absconders to curbing narcotics smuggling, seizing illegal arms, checking illegal mineral transportation, and enforcing road safety laws.
The simultaneous focus on multiple crime categories reflects a coordinated pressure campaign rather than a narrow crackdown, with district-level Superintendents of Police accountable for outcomes in their jurisdictions.
Narcotics and Excise Enforcement
Anti-narcotics efforts have yielded significant results. Police registered 97 NDPS cases and arrested 137 persons during the drive. Seizures included approximately 7,398 kg of ganja, 586 grams of brown sugar, 220 grams of heroin, 219 litres of cough syrup, and 1,050 bottles of cough syrup.
Authorities also seized 27 vehicles, 14 mobile phones, three pistols, and cash worth ₹2.92 lakh allegedly used in drug trafficking. Separately, 2,154 excise-related cases were registered during the same period.
Road Safety, Mining, and Arms
Road safety enforcement saw action against 3,293 persons for drunk driving, with fines totalling ₹6.46 crore collected for motor vehicle and road safety violations.
In the crackdown on illegal mining and mineral transportation, police registered 654 cases, arrested 162 persons, and seized 878 vehicles and pieces of machinery — including excavators, trucks, tractors, trippers, power tillers, and JCB machines. On illegal arms, 31 cases were registered, 35 persons arrested, and 39 firearms along with 29 rounds of live ammunition seized.
The drive also targeted illegal cattle transportation, with 29 cases registered, 13 accused arrested, and 284 cattle rescued from 17 vehicles.
What the DGP Said
'Odisha Police remains firmly committed to ensuring safety, security and a crime-free environment for the citizens of the state. Such special enforcement drives against crime and criminal activities will continue in the coming days, and strict action will be taken against all forms of illegal activities and organised mafias,' DGP Khurania said.
With the drive ongoing, the state police have indicated that enforcement pressure will be sustained — and potentially intensified — against organised criminal networks in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
But the real question is whether this drive produces durable outcomes or functions as a periodic pressure release. Odisha's illegal mining problem, in particular, has persisted across administrations — 654 cases and 878 seized vehicles in 18 days suggests the scale of the racket, not just the scale of the response. The simultaneous targeting of narcotics, arms, cattle smuggling, and mining in a single drive is operationally ambitious; the risk is that without sustained follow-through and conviction rates to match arrest numbers, organised networks simply reconstitute once the spotlight moves. DGP Khurania's public commitment to continuity is the right signal — the test will be whether court-stage outcomes are tracked and disclosed with equal transparency.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Odisha Police special enforcement drive launched in May 2025?
It is a statewide anti-crime operation launched on 12 May 2025 on the directions of DGP Y.B. Khurania, targeting pending warrants, narcotics, illegal arms, mining violations, cattle smuggling, and drunk driving across all police ranges in Odisha.
How many warrants did Odisha Police execute during the drive?
Odisha Police executed 5,703 pending non-bailable warrants (NBWs) in 18 days, while also arresting 520 accused persons and producing them before courts.
What drugs and contraband were seized in the Odisha crackdown?
Police seized approximately 7,398 kg of ganja, 586 grams of brown sugar, 220 grams of heroin, 219 litres of cough syrup, and 1,050 bottles of cough syrup, along with 27 vehicles and cash worth ₹2.92 lakh allegedly linked to drug trafficking.
What action was taken against illegal mining in Odisha?
Police registered 654 cases related to illegal mining and mineral transportation, arrested 162 persons, and seized 878 vehicles and machines including excavators, trucks, tractors, and JCB machines during the drive.
Will the Odisha Police enforcement drive continue?
Yes. DGP Y.B. Khurania has stated that such special enforcement drives will continue in the coming days, with strict action promised against all forms of illegal activities and organised criminal networks.
