Tirupati Police Step Up Action Against Ganja Network; PD Act Invoked Against Repeat Offenders

Tirupati: Tirupati police have intensified action against ganja traffickers and consumers, booking 16 alleged traffickers under the PD Act and arresting 124 persons so far in 2026.

They have also opened around 275 history sheets against habitual offenders and are using rapid testing kits to identify consumers and trace their sources of supply.

In the latest action, a repeat trafficker involved in four cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, involving 222 kg of ganja, was detained under the PIT NDPS Act and shifted to Rajahmundry Central Prison.

Police have stepped up surveillance on suppliers, local sellers and transporters and are tracing links between them and consumers.

District superintendent of police L. Subba Rayudu said the police were giving special attention to eliminating ganja and other narcotics from Tirupati, given its importance as a spiritual centre.

“Drug abuse is damaging the future of youngsters.

We are keeping a close watch on both consumption and supply through modern testing methods and surveillance systems.

Public cooperation is essential to eliminate ganja from the district", he said.

Rapid testing kits are being used to identify consumers and trace their sources of supply.

Police have tested around 12,000 people so far, of whom 430 tested positive for ganja consumption.

More than 350 of them were workers from other states who had come to the district in search of employment.

As part of the enforcement drive, police teams are monitoring railway routes used to transport ganja to Tirupati from other states.

A specially trained dog squad is being deployed to detect drug consignments on trains.

The police and the EAGLE anti-narcotics wing are also coordinating operations against suppliers, local sellers and habitual offenders.

The drive comes amid concerns over ganja sales in residential colonies and areas around educational institutions and hostels in Tirupati.

Youngsters were among those targeted, while groups of drug users were involved in anti-social activities in parts of the city.

Police records show a decline in the number of cases, arrests and quantity of ganja seized over the past three years.

In 2024, police registered 85 cases, seized 872 kg of ganja and arrested 223 persons.

The figures fell to 68 cases, 762 kg and 179 arrests in 2025.

So far in 2026, 46 cases have been registered, 229 kg seized and 124 persons arrested.

“Those involved in ganja trafficking, storage and sale will face stringent action.

We will not hesitate to invoke preventive detention against repeat offenders", Rayudu said.

He urged the public to report ganja-related activity to the police or Dial 112, assuring them that informants’ identities would remain confidential.