MANDI: In a significant blow to illegal narcotics cultivation, the Mandi police in Himachal Pradesh have unearthed large-scale opium farming in the Padhar region, destroying more than 1.09 lakh opium plants across Bhar, Barathwan and Bhulang villages.
The coordinated crackdown was carried out under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, with four separate cases registered at the Padhar Police Station.
According to official sources, the raids revealed a total of 1,09,486 opium plants growing in cultivated fields. After collecting legal samples, police teams destroyed all narcotic crops on the site.
The operation involved close coordination between the Revenue Department and local administration, which are now examining land records to identify plot ownership and trace those involved in the illegal activity.
Mandi Superintendent of Police Sakshi Verma confirmed the action was part of a dedicated anti-drug campaign. “The Mandi police are committed to eradicating drug cultivation and trafficking from the region. No one involved will be spared,” she said.
Authorities have urged residents to report any suspicious agricultural activity or drug-related information to local law enforcement.
Last operation in Balichowki exposed 17,000 opium plants
This is the second major opium-related crackdown in Mandi district in less than a week.
On April 28, in a similar operation, teams from Aut police station and Balichowki police post discovered over 17,000 opium plants during routine patrols in the Khuhan, Majoun and Matla villages of the Balichowki area.
The illegal cultivation was spread across difficult-to-access mountainous terrain.
Following the bust, three cases were registered under Section 18 of the NDPS Act at Aut police station. The success of these back-to-back operations signals increased surveillance and strong enforcement against drug cultivation in remote parts of Himachal Pradesh.
Munish Sood
