Disposal And Destruction Of Seized Narcotic Drugs By STF

In recent years during the massive campaign against the narcotics especially Ganja (also
known as Cannabis/ Marijuana/ weeds) and Brown sugar (also known as Heroin/ smack) by Odisha police, there has been huge piling up of seized narcotic drugs.

As the trial of narcotics cases takes time, these seized drugs remain stocked at police stations/ court Malkhanas exposed to all kind of vulnerabilities.

The piling up of seized drugs has been a cause of concern and honorable Supreme Court in
the case of Union of India Vrs. Mohanlal passed a detailed order on disposal/ destruction of seized drugs especially emphasizing on pre trial disposal of seized drugs.

However because of some procedural and technical ambiguity/ issues, seized drugs could not be disposed of. In this backdrop, STF approached the Hon’ble High Court of Odisha with a prayer for certain direction/ order to resolve the issues/ hindrances involved in disposing of the seized drugs.

Finally on 31.01.2022, Hon’ble High Court of Odisha pleased to pass a land mark judgment directing the Sub-ordinate courts to dispose the applications filed U/s. Sec.52A of NDPS Act, 1985 issuing a detailed SOP in this regard.

Accordingly, on June 27 on the decision of Drug Disposal Committee led by SP, STF, Deputy Collector, Khodha, Superintendent of Excise Khurda, DSP, STF in presence of Scientific Officers
of State Forensic Science laboratory and Member of State Pollution Board disposed/destructed bulk quantity of contraband brown sugar i.e. 7 kg 356 gram at a designated incinerator following all due procedure, which were seized from the exclusive possession of accused persons.

The seized drugs was first authenticated/ certificated by concerned court and handed over to Drug disposal committee for the disposal/ destruction.

Another many cases are under process (both at STF and district police level) for disposal/
destruction. This is worth to mention that at least 4500 Quintals (450 Tons) of Ganja and 104 Kg of brown sugar seized (in last three years alone) are piled up in various court/ police station Malkhana waiting for destruction.

It is expected that most of the seized drugs will be destroyed within in 3-6 months.