Bhubaneswar: The officials of the excise department and police destroyed ganja plantations in over one acres of land in Khurda district on Sunday.

Following a tip off, the officials swooped on Badapokhari village, some two kms away from the National Highway in Khurda district. After scanning the area, ganja plantations raised in about one acre of land were unearthed.

“A joint raid by police and excise department was done and5 5,143 ganja plants were seized and later destroyed in presence of magistrate,” Laxmikant Behera, Khurda excise superintendent said.

Surprisingly, the cultivation of the psychotropic substance had become a profitable business for the villagers. Moreover, most of them had even planted ganja saplings in their backyards and agricultural fields.

Police have also arrested two persons- Haluri Kujhar Singh and Seshdev Singh. The incident has now thrown up a challenge before the excise department as people are now carrying out the illegal plantations in their homes.