Gajapati (Orissa), Oct.22 Excise and police in Orissa's Maoist-affected Gajapati district have destroyed cannabis plants worth 110 million rupees.

Officials raided several villages in the district and destroyed nearly 11, 300 plants cultivated in the forest area.

"We have destroyed around 4, 500 hemp plants so far. We have not arrested anybody because it is a forest area and we are trying to find out the people behind this cultivation and as soon as we get to know, we will arrest them," said Ramesh Chandra Behera, Excise Superintendent.

The authorities suspect the Maoists to be behind the cannabis cultivation. (ANI)