Ranchi: Jharkhand Police have destroyed illegal opium cultivation spread across 4,619.34 acres during the financial year 2025-26, registering 77 cases and arresting 48 people involved in the illicit trade, according to a report released by the state CID headquarters.

The crackdown was carried out across several districts where illegal opium farming has remained a major challenge for law enforcement agencies. Authorities said the action was aimed at curbing narcotics production and preventing the illegal trade network from expanding.

Chatra records highest destruction of opium crops

Among all districts, Chatra witnessed the largest operation, with illegal opium crops spread across 2,742.22 acres destroyed.

It was followed by:

• Latehar: 832.14 acres
• Hazaribagh: 393 acres
• Palamu: 314.62 acres
• Khunti: 215.71 acres

Illegal cultivation was also destroyed in West Singhbhum, Ranchi, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Simdega, Lohardaga, Koderma and Deoghar.

In Latehar district, police also destroyed two illegal cannabis plantations as part of the wider anti-narcotics drive.

77 cases registered, 48 accused arrested

The CID report stated that Chatra recorded the highest number of FIRs with 21 cases linked to illegal opium cultivation.

Other districts where cases were registered include:

• West Singhbhum: 12 cases
• Latehar: 11 cases
• Khunti: 10 cases
• Hazaribagh: 8 cases
• Ranchi: 7 cases
• Seraikela-Kharsawan: 3 cases
• Simdega: 2 cases

One case each was registered in Lohardaga, Koderma and Deoghar. A total of 48 accused persons were arrested during the period.

Illegal opium cultivation declines sharply compared to previous year

The CID data showed a significant decline in illegal opium cultivation compared to the previous financial year.

During 2024-25, authorities had destroyed illegal opium crops spread across 27,015.03 acres, while the area reduced to 4,619.34 acres in 2025-26 — a decline of nearly 22,400 acres in one year.

In 2024-25, Khunti reported the highest illegal opium cultivation at 15,246.79 acres, followed by Ranchi (6,843.47 acres) and Chatra (1,566.46 acres). During that period, police registered 313 cases and arrested 237 people.

Opium cultivation remains concentrated in eight districts

According to CID records, illegal opium farming in Jharkhand has largely remained concentrated in districts including Chatra, Khunti, Latehar, Ranchi, Palamu, West Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan and Hazaribagh.

Authorities have continued surveillance and enforcement measures in these regions to prevent the cultivation and supply of illegal narcotic substances. The latest crackdown is part of the state’s broader strategy to eliminate illegal drug production and dismantle networks involved in the trade.