Madhya Pradesh Police on Sunday continued a crackdown on illegal narcotics cultivation in Neemuch and Dhar districts, seizing more than 52,000 green cannabis plants weighing over 34 quintals with an estimated value of ₹5.89 crore, news agency IANS reported, citing a police statement. Eight cases have been registered under the NDPS Act.

In Neemuch district, four joint teams from the Kukdeshwar, Manasa and Rampura police stations, supervised by Superintendent of Police Rajesh Vyas, conducted aerial surveillance with drones on October 16 followed by intensive ground searches. Police said cannabis was being grown under the cover of high stone fencing and maize crops in four separate fields. The teams seized 51,000 green cannabis plants weighing 27.95 quintals, valued at approximately ₹2.79 crore, and registered four cases against landowners and illegal occupants under the NDPS Act.

In Dhar district, under Operation 'Prahaar' led by Superintendent of Police Sachin Sharma, Manawar police acted on a tip-off on October 16. Three teams raided fields in Boharla village under the Umraban outpost and recovered 1,223 green cannabis plants weighing 1,621.98 kg, grown between cotton and tur crops, valued at about ₹2.43 crore. Three cases were registered.

In a further action under the same operation, teams from Bag police station and the Dehri outpost raided a field at Bakalyapura in Kaneri village on October 17 and seized 586 green cannabis plants weighing 446.6 kg, hidden among cotton crops and valued at ₹66.99 lakh; a case was registered at Bag police station.

IANS reported that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Director General of Police Kailash Makwana have called for stern action against narcotics peddlers, and the DGP said the anti-narcotics drive will continue in a more aggressive way.

Sources: IANS; Madhya Pradesh Police statement via IANS; Free Press Journal.