Andhra Pradesh: Eagle destroyed 120 tonnes of confiscated ganja in 2025

Vijayawada: Marking one of the biggest drug disposal drives in Andhra Pradesh, personnel of Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (Eagle) destroyed 120 tonnes (1.2 lakh kg) of confiscated ganja in 2025. Ake Ravi Krishna, IG and head of Eagle, said the agency intensified its war against narcotics by targeting the entire chain — from cultivation to retail sale to consumers."Ganja cultivation has been stalled in the state due to the coordinated efforts of police, revenue, forest, agriculture, and tribal welfare departments. Under ‘Operation Chaitanyam', drones and satellite imagery were used to prevent cultivation in tribal pockets, while 80 check posts were established to curb smuggling. As many as 96 habitual offenders were detained under the PIT NDPS Act, and convictions were secured in 157 cases," he said.With cultivation under control, the focus has now shifted to dismantling the retail and commercial drug networks, he said, adding that a dedicated digital record is being maintained to track peddlers and repeat offenders and ensure tighter surveillance.In a parallel drive, authorities cracked down on tobacco sales near educational institutions. Nearly 45,000 shops located in the vicinity of schools were penalised, and fines amounting to Rs 75 lakh were collected. Eagle also launched awareness campaigns, reaching 20 lakh students and forming 40,000 Eagle Clubs across educational institutions. Ravi Krishna urged citizens to report drug activity by dialling 1972, and help build a drug-free Andhra Pradesh.