Security experts have stated that Maoist forces are raising money for arms and ammunition from illegal marijuana plantations.
According to reports, teams of the police and excise department have found many such plantations in forest regions with strong left wing extremist (LWE) presence. The Odisha government has also stated that the Angul, Boudh, Deogarh, Gajapati, Malkanagiri, Kandhamal, Rayagada and Sambalpur districts have huge cannabis plantations.
Police, excise, revenue and forest department officials have reportedly destroyed marijuana worth Rs. 2,500 crore since 2011.