CHENNAI: The Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU), which operated in Chennai for the past two years, has been renamed as Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) after the state govt formally issued orders expanding the unit across Tamil Nadu.Police said the newly formed ANTF was vested with intelligence-gathering and prosecution powers. Until the transition process is completed, the ANTF units, formerly functioning as ANIU, will continue to gather intelligence on drug smugglers and peddlers and hand over detained suspects to local police stations for legal action.The Greater Chennai Police constituted dedicated ANTF teams across three police districts in the north zone to strengthen enforcement against narcotics trafficking and related offences, according to an official order issued by joint commissioner of police M. Manohar. The order, issued on May 14, followed directions from the Tamil Nadu govt and the Chennai city commissioner 's office regarding the formation of specialised anti-drug enforcement units.According to the proceedings, separate ANTF teams, comprising one sub-inspector and five police personnel each, were formed in the Flower Bazaar, Washermenpet and Pulianthope police districts. The teams function under the supervision of R Mahendiran, assistant commissioner, prohibition enforcement wing (PEW), north zone.Police said the specialised units were formed to intensify action against narcotics smuggling, drug peddling and related offences in North Chennai.In the Flower Bazaar district, the ANTF team included sub-inspector R Sabarivasagan and five police personnel drawn from Elephant Gate, Flower Bazaar, Kothavalchavadi, North Beach and Harbour police stations.The Washermenpet district task force is headed by sub-inspector S Sathishkumar and includes personnel from Royapuram, Washermenpet, Tondiarpet, RK Nagar and Kasimedu police stations.Similarly, the Pulianthope district ANTF team is headed by sub-inspector M Karthickraja and comprises personnel attached to Kodungaiyur, MKB Nagar, Pulianthope, Sembium, Otteri and Thiru Vi Ka Nagar police stations.The order stated that the formation of the ANTF was aimed at ensuring stronger implementation of anti-drug enforcement measures across the city. Senior police officers in the north zone, including deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners, were informed about the constitution of the specialised teams.Police sources said the ANTF personnel would conduct surveillance, intelligence gathering, raids and coordinated operations targeting narcotics distribution networks across Chennai.