Bhubaneswar, Feb. 7 -- Authorities have destroyed a large-scale illegal opium poppy cultivation on forest land in the Koida area of Sundargarh district, officials said on Saturday.

The illicit crop was detected near Pundupokhari village, within the jurisdiction of Koida police station. According to officials, opium poppy was being cultivated over nearly five acres of forest land.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, teams from the Excise Department and local police carried out a joint operation at the site and uprooted the standing crop. Officials estimated the value of the destroyed opium poppy cultivation to be more than Rs 30 lakh.

Police said two people have been detained in connection with the case and are currently being quest...