Odisha Police arrest 1,771 in 5-day statewide crackdown on crime, drugs
Synopsis
In five days, Odisha Police arrested 1,771 people, seized more than 3 tonnes of ganja, impounded 179 vehicles linked to illegal mining, and collected ₹1.89 crore in traffic fines — a sweeping crackdown that signals the state is moving aggressively against entrenched criminal networks across drugs, mining, and arms simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
Odisha Police conducted a five-day special enforcement drive from 12 to 16 May 2025 across all police ranges in the state.
1,771 persons were arrested on pending non-bailable warrants; 190 absconding accused forwarded to court.
Anti-narcotics operations yielded 3,026 kg and 702 grams of ganja and 16.6 grams of brown sugar ; 31 NDPS cases registered.
Illegal mining crackdown saw 136 cases , 60 arrests , and 179 vehicles seized.
20 illegal firearms seized across nine arms-trade cases ; 13 persons arrested.
Traffic fines of ₹1.89 crore collected; action taken against 966 drunk drivers .
Odisha Police arrested 1,771 persons and seized over 3,026 kg of ganja, 20 illegal firearms, and 179 vehicles during a five-day statewide special enforcement drive conducted from 12 May to 16 May 2025, officials confirmed on Sunday. The operation, one of the largest coordinated crackdowns in recent memory, targeted pending warrants, narcotics smuggling, illegal mining, arms trade, and drunken driving across all police ranges in the state.
Scale and Scope of the Operation
The drive was launched under the direction of Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania and executed across all police ranges under the supervision of district Superintendents of Police and Police Commissioners. In addition to the 1,771 arrests on pending non-bailable warrants (NBWs), 190 absconding accused were apprehended and forwarded to court.
Authorities also invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against five notorious criminals. A further 449 habitual offenders were booked under Section 129 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), while action under Section 126 BNSS was initiated against 643 persons.
Narcotics and Excise Enforcement
On the anti-narcotics front, police registered 31 NDPS cases and arrested 29 accused persons. Seizures included 3,026 kg and 702 grams of ganja, 16.6 grams of brown sugar, six vehicles, two mobile phones, and cash worth ₹12,348.
The South-Western Range recorded the highest ganja haul at 1,943 kg and 4 grams, followed by the Southern Range at 683 kg and 46 grams and the Northern Range at 284 kg and 86 grams. Separately, 716 excise cases were registered across the state during the drive.
Road Safety, Mining, and Arms Crackdown
Traffic enforcement was a significant component of the operation. Action was taken against 966 drunk drivers, with their vehicles seized. Traffic fines totalling ₹1.89 crore were collected for various violations. The Western Range led penalty collection at ₹53.38 lakh, followed by the Central Range at ₹43.82 lakh and the Eastern Range at ₹32.19 lakh.
In the crackdown on illegal mining, police registered 136 cases, arrested 60 persons, issued notices to 14 individuals, and seized 179 vehicles — including Hyvas, trucks, tractors, tippers, power tillers, and JCB machines allegedly used in mining operations. The Central Range registered the most mining cases at 42, while the Southern Range made the most arrests at 22.
Against illegal arms trade, nine cases were registered and 13 persons arrested, with 20 illegal firearms seized. The Southern Range alone recovered 11 weapons; the Northern Range seized six pistols and 19 live bullets; and the North-Central Range recovered two country-made guns. Police also registered five cases of illegal cattle transportation, rescued 33 cattle, and arrested one accused.
Top-Performing Units and What Comes Next
The Central Range emerged as the top-performing unit in warrant execution, clearing 482 warrants during the drive. Odisha Police said similar special enforcement drives would continue periodically to dismantle criminal networks and illegal mafias operating across the state. This comes amid a broader push by the state government to strengthen law enforcement visibility ahead of the monsoon season, when illegal mining and narcotics activity historically intensifies in Odisha's interior districts.
Point of View
771 arrests and 3 tonnes of ganja points to how much enforcement slack routinely exists in Odisha's districts — the scale of the haul is as much an indictment of baseline policing as it is a testament to the surge operation. The simultaneous targeting of narcotics, illegal mining, and arms trade is strategically sound but also reveals that these criminal ecosystems are deeply intertwined in the state's interior ranges. The real measure of success will not be the numbers from this week but whether recidivism rates and pending-warrant backlogs shrink over the next quarter. Without sustained follow-through, special drives risk becoming periodic spectacle rather than structural reform.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were arrested in the Odisha Police special drive in May 2025?
Odisha Police arrested 1,771 persons on pending non-bailable warrants during the five-day drive from 12 to 16 May 2025. An additional 190 absconding accused were apprehended and forwarded to court.
How much ganja was seized in the Odisha Police crackdown?
Police seized 3,026 kg and 702 grams of ganja during the operation. The South-Western Range recorded the highest haul at 1,943 kg and 4 grams, followed by the Southern Range and the Northern Range.
What action was taken against illegal mining in Odisha during the drive?
Police registered 136 illegal mining cases, arrested 60 persons, issued notices to 14 individuals, and seized 179 vehicles — including trucks, tractors, tippers, and JCB machines — allegedly used in mining operations.
Who directed the Odisha Police special enforcement drive?
The drive was launched under the direction of Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania and carried out under the supervision of district Superintendents of Police and Police Commissioners across all police ranges.
Will Odisha Police conduct similar drives in the future?
Yes. Odisha Police confirmed that similar special enforcement drives will continue periodically to dismantle criminal networks and illegal mafias operating across the state.
