BHUBANESWAR:  The Special Task Force (STF) Odisha have destroyed nearly one tonne of contraband ganja, which were seized from the exclusive possession of accused persons, SRF officials said here on Wednesday.

"The drugs were destroyed at a designated incinerator in the presence of scientific officers from state forensic science laboratory and members of State Pollution Board," the Special Task Force (STF) officials said. "Following due procedure laid down by Orissa High Court and on the decision of drug disposal committee led by SP, Special Task Force (STF), Bhubaneswar, the drugs were destroyed at a designated incinerator."

In August 2021, the STF  officials had seized the marijuana and filed a complaint under the NDPS Act of 1985 against the alleged offenders.

The drug disposal committee received the seized drugs after a relevant court certified them for destruction. They claimed that this was the first pre-trial disposal case ever.

There has been a significant buildup of drug seizures in recent years due to an Odisha police campaign against drugs, particularly ganja and brown sugar.

These seized drugs are kept in stock at police stations or court Malkhanas exposed to a variety of threats while narcotics cases are being tried, which can take a while.

Concerned about the amount of narcotics being seized, the Supreme Court issued a comprehensive ruling on how to dispose of them in the case of Mohanlal v. Union of India, with special focus on how to dispose of drugs before trials.

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