Vijayawada: In a significant boost to Andhra Pradesh's fight against narcotics, coordinated efforts by the Law and Order Police, Investigating Officers, the Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE/LAGLE), and prosecution agencies resulted in 157 convictions under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, between January 1, 2025, and February 6, 2026.
In a notable judgment delivered on February 11, the Ninth Additional District Court at Chodavaram sentenced Srira Appalanaidu to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh for illegally trafficking 60 kg of ganja. The case (Crime No 01/2016) was registered at Chidikada police station in Anakapalle district. The verdict is seen as a strong message to organised drug offenders operating in the state. DGP Harish Kumar Gupta congratulated the Anakapalle district SP for his supervisory role in securing convictions in a large number of NDPS cases.
According to official data, courts across the state tried 72 NDPS cases during the review period. Of the 157 convicted accused, 1 was awarded 20 years of imprisonment with a ₹2 lakh fine, 57 received sentences ranging from 10 to 15 years with ₹1 lakh fines, and 20 were sentenced to 5 to 10 years with Rs 20,000 fines. Others received varying jail terms, reflecting the gravity of their offences.
Anakapalle district topped the list with 71 convictions, followed by Alluri Seetharamaraju (11), Vizianagaram (7), Visakhapatnam (6), and Guntur (6). Officials attributed the success to meticulous investigation, strong evidence collection, and effective courtroom presentation. Specialised training through the TAGIT Centre of Excellence and expert workshops on emerging drug trafficking trends further strengthened enforcement.
DGP Harish Kumar Gupta, IPS, and IG EAGLE A K Ravi Krishna, IPS, praised the officers for their dedication and reiterated that public cooperation remains crucial. Citizens can share information on drug trafficking through the toll-free EAGLE helpline: 1972.
Venu Lanka is a special correspondent, at The Times of India-Vija...
Read MoreVenu Lanka is a special correspondent, at The Times of India-Vijayawada. He covers developments related to VMC/APCRDA, Janasena, education, health, endowments, and agriculture-related stories. He holds two graduate degrees, one in business management and another in law. He completed his post-graduation in journalism and mass communication, apart from completing short-term courses.
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