VIJAYAWADA: Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) commissioner Vineet Brijlal on Tuesday announced that since formation of the bureau under direct supervision of Director General of Police Gautam Sawang, SEB has destroyed numerous ganja plantations in agency areas of the state, apart from taking up other tasks.
Brijlal pointed out that Operation Parivarthana had been specially launched to contain narcotics and illicit liquor. Ganja crops spread over 6,416.10 acres worth ₹ 4,000 crore had been destroyed in 253 hamlets and villages in 11 mandals in which 313 police teams participated. The operation has been going on particularly in agency mandals of Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts since October 30 this year.
Presenting a roundup, the SEB commissioner said special drives had been taken against illegal transport of liquor, sand and ganja. As a result, interstate smuggling and bootlegging of liquor has come down to the maximum extent.
Apart from destroying ganja crops, SEB had seized 2,99,969 kg of the narcotic in 2,572 cases. Police have bound over 476 narcotic offenders and 300 history sheets have been opened against them.
Brjilal explained that in 2019, total cases detected had been 37,046, in which they seized 1,33,573 litres of IML and 1,76,114 litres of ID liquor and destroyed 45,74,488 litres of FJ wash. In 2020, total cases detected had been 80,967, in which they seized 4,58,994 litres of IML and 5,02,457 litres of ID liquor and destroyed 1,19,84,657 litres of FJ wash. In 2021, total cases detected have been 97,792, in which they seized 8,59,584 litres of IML and 6,28,886 litres of ID liquor and destroyed 2,09,21,602 litres of FJ wash.
The SEB commissioner said as many as 1,63,518 cases had been booked with regard to transportation of illegal liquor and sand since May 16, 2020 till date. 2,18,751 persons have been arrested and 12,88,741 litres of IMFL and beer seized. He said total ID liquor seized is 10,12,153 litres. 2,99,13,781 litres of FJ wash has been destroyed and total 40,692 vehicles seized. He asserted that smuggling of NDPL and manufacturing of ID liquor has come down drastically due to efforts of SEB.
