Visakhapatnam Range Dismantles 69 Drug Networks, Seizes 28,423 Kg Ganja

Visakhapatnam: The Visakhapatnam Range Police, covering five districts Anakapalli, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, ASR and Parvathipuram Manyam arrested 1,390 persons and seized 28,423 kg of ganja along with 341 vehicles during an anti-narcotics drive conducted between January and October 2025.

The crackdown extended beyond State borders, with the police dismantling 25 inter-State and 44 inter-district drug networks, leading to 315 arrests across Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring States. As part of intensified surveillance and enforcement, 509 cases were registered during the ten-month period.

Under the ASR district scheme for 2025–26, as many as 34,012 farmers cultivated legal crops across 35,011.5 acres. During the year, 10 acres of ganja cultivation were identified and destroyed.

The police also provided training in horticulture, aquaculture, poultry farming and small-scale industries in the agency areas of Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for communities that were earlier dependent on illegal cultivation.

Advanced drone technology played a crucial role in enforcement, with four drones surveying 14,870 acres across 327 villages. For the 2025–26 season, ongoing aerial surveys have already verified 138 villages vulnerable to illegal cultivation.

Ground-level operations were strengthened through a network of 24 CCTV-equipped check-posts and 362 dynamic inspection points. In addition, nine specially trained dog squads were deployed to detect concealed ganja stockpiles.

Courts convicted 61 accused in 39 cases during 2025. Special investigation teams apprehended 444 absconding offenders, while assets worth `9.13 crore were seized in 16 cases. The police also opened 645 NDPS suspect sheets and initiated 99 Preventive Imprisonment and Temporary (PIT-NDPS) proposals.

In February, the District Destruction Committee supervised the destruction of 67,000 kg of seized ganja and 77.267 kg of hashish oil.

The “ABHYUDAYAM” Cycle Yatra, launched from Payakaraopeta on November 12, 2025, is covering nearly 1,000 km across districts and is scheduled to conclude on January 3, 2026. The initiative has drawn participation from 1,21,300 people, including about 1,00,000 students and 50,000 community members.

Using drone-based surveillance, the police identified drug consumption hotspots and referred 244 individuals to rehabilitation centres.