AP’s ‘Vajraprahar’ drive nets ganja, arrests across districts

Vijayawada: In a massive statewide crackdown on narcotics and illegal substances, the Andhra Pradesh Police, along with the anti-narcotics wing EAGLE, carried out a large-scale operation titled Operation Vajraprahar to curb drug trafficking and marijuana cultivation across the state.The special "cordon and search" operation was launched across the state on Saturday morning. As part of the drive, coordinated raids and inspections were carried out at 94 sensitive locations across 88 police sub-divisions in Andhra Pradesh. Nearly 14,800 police personnel and EAGLE officers participated in the operation, conducting intensive searches and vehicle checks in various districts.Officials said that special inspections were conducted on 280 individuals identified as habitual NDPS offenders and drug users. Searches were also carried out at 26 houses belonging to accused involved in narcotics cases.Meanwhile, govt Railway Police in Nellore seized 19 kg of ganja from the Rameswaram Special Train at Gudur Railway Station. Smaller quantities of ganja were also seized in Chittoor district and Bapatla district, leading to the arrest of 3 persons.Police also seized 110 kg of cannabis seeds in Paderu and destroyed a cannabis plant in Nuzvid.During the operation, 1,856 vehicles were checked, while 238 liquor bottles, 115 litres of illicit arrack, and 1,300 litres of jaggery wash used for brewing illegal liquor were seized.EAGLE IGP Ravi Krishna said illegal drug trafficking and marijuana cultivation pose a serious threat to society. "The Andhra Pradesh Police will continue to follow a zero-tolerance policy against drugs and intensify awareness programmes and surveillance," he said.