Amravati: Chief Secretary K Vijayanand has called for coordination between central and state government departments to make Andhra Pradesh a ganja and drug-free state.
On Monday, he chaired the first state-level meeting of Narco Coordination (NCORD) at the state secretariat. Speaking on this occasion, the CS said that steps should be taken to completely eradicate cannabis cultivation. He suggested that the central and state government departments and relevant agencies should work in coordination and take steps to make the state a cannabis and drug-free state.
He said that with this aim, a special Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) was formed in the state last November. Each department should coordinate with the bordering states from time to time regarding the control of cannabis and drugs and completely eradicate these. CS Vijayanand clarified that there is a need to work hard.
CS Vijayanand clarified that the rehabilitation centers (de-addiction centers) should be further strengthened. He said that a state-level committee meeting would be held once every three months and a review would be conducted.
Similarly, at the district level, he directed that meetings of the District Narco Committees headed by the District Collectors should also be held regularly.
DGP Harish Kumar Gupta, who participated in the meeting virtually, said that the cultivation of ganja has reduced to a great extent in the state. However, ganja is being transported from Odisha and other states through AP and strict measures are being taken to prevent it, he said.
He said that a database related to inter-state gangs involved in the supply and transportation of ganja and drugs will be prepared and steps will be taken to stop their transportation in coordination with various departments. He said that strict measures have to be taken in coordination with the departments of Railways, Transport, Postal and other departments for this.
He also said that many cases related to accused in ganja and drug cases are pending in the courts and if those cases can be resolved promptly, it will create fear among those involved in these irregularities.
Earlier Eagle IGP and State NCORD Convener A. Ravikrishna gave a PowerPoint presentation and said that 56 NCORD meetings were held at the district level in the state in 2024 and 2 meetings were held so far in 2025. He explained that District Narcotics Control Cells are working in 26 districts to control the transportation and consumption of ganja and other narcotics.
He also said that Eagle is working with the toll-free number 1972. He explained that a special anti-drugs and ganja eradication committee has been formed with Eagle, RTGS, AP Drone Corporation, Excise and Prisons departments. He said that a database related to comprehensive drug offenders is also being prepared.
He also explained that in 2024, 1820 cases were registered regarding ganja and drugs, 53,097 kg of cannabis 815 vehicles were seized, and 5,045 accused were arrested. He said that 45 accused were punished.
In particular, in Alluri Seetharamaraju district, hotspots were identified in 375 villages in 7 mandals regarding marijuana cultivation, continuous monitoring was carried out with the help of drones, and cannabis cultivation was established on 85 acres.
He said that 46 lakh 82 thousand 882 different types of plants related to 22 types of crops were distributed so that tribal people could take up alternative crops instead of marijuana cultivation. In addition, 12,163 awareness programs were organized in various schools, colleges, and other communities across the state to create awareness among the people about the use of marijuana and intoxicants.
Similarly, Eagle Clubs have been set up in various educational institutions. He said that 44 drug de-addiction centers are being run in the state in partnership with government and non-governmental organizations. Excise Commissioner Nishant and other officials participated in this meeting.
Medical and Health Special Chief Secretary MT. Krishna Babu, NCP, DRI, ED, Railways, Postal, Coast Guard, and other central government departments and state government departments Officials including police participated virtually.
A special Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) was formed in the state in November 2024 to control the drug menance Read More
