AP DGP inaugurates Eagle headquarters in Mangalagiri

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh director general of police Harish Kumar Gupta on Saturday inaugurated the new Eagle headquarters in Mangalagiri. Speaking at the event, the DGP said the Eagle unit is being developed into a premier enforcement agency, drawing comparisons with the elite Greyhounds force. He noted that within just one-and-a-half years, the unit has gained recognition at the national level for its anti-drug operations.Officials said the primary objective of Eagle is the complete eradication of marijuana cultivation across the state. Authorities are implementing strict measures under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, with assistant commissioners taking a lead role in enforcement.So far, 112 NDPS cases have been registered, and police have set a target of increasing this number to 200, focusing particularly on habitual offenders. The department is also intensifying efforts to dismantle the financial networks of drug syndicates while keeping a close watch on users.A large-scale drug-testing initiative has been launched in Vijayawada, with plans to expand it statewide. In the first phase, around 10,000 testing kits will be deployed.Authorities are also leveraging technology, including drones and satellite surveillance, to detect and destroy illegal marijuana cultivation. Monitoring of the dark web and digital transactions has been strengthened, supported by advanced crime analytics through a dedicated data centre.Describing drugs as a threat comparable to terrorism, the DGP said Eagle's operations are focused on building a drug-free society. Special emphasis is being placed on tackling interstate drug networks, along with a proposal to establish 13 new NDPS courts to expedite cases.