Bhubaneswar, Feb 21: The Odisha Excise Department has seized a total of 97,804 grams of brown sugar and arrested 1,234 individuals over the past four years, Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan informed the State Assembly on Saturday.

In a written reply to a question raised by Salipur MLA Prasanta Behera in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, the Minister presented a detailed year-wise account of the crackdown on narcotics trafficking across the state.

According to the data, 28,593 grams of brown sugar were seized and 278 persons arrested in 2022–23. In 2023–24, the department confiscated 21,190 grams and arrested 331 individuals. During 2024–25, 19,869 grams were seized with 274 arrests. In the current financial year 2025–26, up to February 12, authorities have already seized 28,152 grams and arrested 351 persons.

The Minister stated that the department is conducting regular raids statewide to curb drug trafficking. Offenders are being booked under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, ensuring strict legal action against those involved.

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