Call to induct sniffer dogs to end drug trade

Bhubaneswar: The state police have proposed to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to use sniffer dogs, trained in detecting narcotics drugs, at vulnerable railway stations and on trains.
“We have suggested the RPF to study the Central Reserve Police Force’s use of Belgian Malinois for protection of Parliament. Belgian Malinois dogs are trained for both sniffing and night guard. Belgian Malinois can be trained for dual use — sniffing and patrolling,” additional director general of police (railways) Sudhanshu Sarangi said. He said the use of sniffer dogs can be an effective way of reducing and detecting transportation of ganja and brown sugar by trains.
It must be noted that Odisha has become a hotbed of ganja cultivation and smuggling to other states. Smugglers often transport the narcotics by trains. Police said Berhampur, Khurda Road, Khallikote, Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Titlagarh, Rayagada and Koraput railway stations are vulnerable to transportation of ganja to other states. Nandan Kanan Express, Rajdhani Express, Nilanchal Express, Utkal-Kalinga Express, Purushottam Express, Puri-Okha Express, Konark Express, Puri-Bhagalpur Express, Patna-Puri Express, Sambalpur-Howrah Express, Hirakhanda Express, Utkal Kalinga Express, Puri-Durg Express and Puri-Ahmedabad Express are being frequently used by smugglers to transport ganja from the state to outside, the police said.
Government Railway Police (GRP) seized about 475 kg ganja and arrested 35 people in 2019, seized 800 kg ganja and arrested 34 people in 2020 and seized 1,025 kg ganja and arrested 76 people in 2021, according to official statistics.