AP Orders Detention of 225 Repeat Drug Offenders
The DGP said strict legal action would continue against drug traffickers, financial supporters, and those harbouring offenders and assisting drug networks.
VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh police have issued preventive detention orders against 225 drug offenders under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988, as part of their intensified crackdown on ganja trafficking and drug-related crimes.
Authorities have identified another 76 offenders. Proposals have been submitted to the government for their preventive detention.
Director general of police (DGP) Harish Kumar Gupta said the preventive detention drive is being carried out in accordance with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s guidelines to make Andhra Pradesh a drug-free state. The detention orders reflect coordinated efforts by the state police, Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) division, and district law-and-order authorities, he said.
The DGP commended district superintendents of police, police commissioners, and EAGLE officers for their efforts in preventing circulation of ganja and drugs. He underlined that strict legal action would continue against traffickers, financial supporters, and those harbouring offenders and assisting illegal drug networks.
The detention orders have been issued between February 24, 2025, and October 15, 2026. NTR district topped the list with 38 orders, followed by Alluri Sitarama Raju district 27, East Godavari 24, Anakapalli 21, Vizianagaram 20, and Polavaram 19.
In addition, Tirupati accounted for 13 orders, Visakhapatnam and Guntur 12 each, Srikakulam nine, Eluru eight, and Nellore seven. Four each detentions have been in Palnadu and Kakinada districts, Annamayya, Parvathipuram Manyam, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema two each, and Bapatla one.
The crackdown under the supervision of EAGLE division head and TGP Ake Ravi Krishna is also targeting blade batch groups allegedly assisting drug trafficking networks and involved in ganja consumption, intimidation, and anti-social activities.
Surveillance and investigations have been intensified to disrupt drug distribution networks and act against repeat offenders, couriers, financial backers, and other accomplices.
EAGLE division has appealed to the public to report suspected drug sales, transportation, consumption, or other related activities through its toll-free helpline 1972. Informants’ identities would be kept confidential, officials said.
