EAGLE Launches Anti-Drug Website, Honours 56 Personnel

VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to a drug-free state as the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) marked the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by launching a dedicated anti-drug website and honouring 56 police personnel.

Home and disaster management minister Vangalapudi Anitha inaugurated the website at EAGLE headquarters in Mangalagiri. The portal enables citizens to report drug trafficking and ganja cultivation confidentially. She also presented EAGLE Excellence Awards to 56 officers and staff for their outstanding service.

Addressing the gathering, Anitha said EAGLE had emerged as a nationally recognised anti-narcotics force. She credited Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and IT minister Nara Lokesh with strengthening the state's fight against drugs.

Recalling an incident in which ganja was allegedly found in a Class IV student's school bag, the Minister said it highlighted the growing threat of drug abuse. She said coordinated action was being taken through a Group of Ministers comprising the Home, Tribal Welfare, Health and Excise departments.

Anitha said nearly 1.2 lakh kg of ganja had been destroyed in Andhra Pradesh over the past two years and added that neighbouring states were studying the EAGLE model.

EAGLE Chief IGP Aake Ravikrishna said the task force, established in 2024, now has units in all 28 districts and three specialised teams. He assured that information shared through the new website would remain confidential.