‘Eagle’ will focus on kingpins involved in smuggling of ganja and drugs in Andhra Pradesh, says its head Ravi Krishna

‘Eagle’ will focus on kingpins involved in smuggling of ganja and drugs in Andhra Pradesh, says its head Ravi Krishna. The elite force will conduct awareness programmes for students and youth on the ill-effects of consuming ganja and the consequences of being booked under the NDPS Act, he says.

The Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (Eagle) will focus on educational institutions and youth to check smuggling of ganja (marijuana) and drugs in Andhra Pradesh, says its head and Inspector General of Police A. Ravi Krishna.

“Eagle will focus on identifying the kingpins, peddlers and consumers, find the origin and destination of the rackets, and legal aspects, besides enlightening the students and youngsters about the NDPS Act,” Mr. Ravi Krishna said while addressing the media at the A.P. Police Headquarters at Mangalagiri on November 29, 2024 (Friday).

“Ganja is being cultivated in some pockets of the nine mandals in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district. Eagle teams will visit the areas where ganja is being grown and conduct awareness programmes. The teams will counsel the residents of the tribal habitations against cultivating ganja,” he said.

“The ill-effects of consuming drugs and the consequences of being booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, will be included in the curriculum for students. Persons booked under the Act may be awarded imprisonment of up to 20 years,” Mr. Ravi Krishna said.

Stating that the NDPS Act prohibited cultivation, possession, sale, transportation, storage and consumption of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, or ganja, he warned that the consequences of being booked under the Act would be very severe.

“Some students and youth are addicted to drugs. I appeal to the youth not to spoil their health and lives, and keep away from vices,” Mr. Ravi Krishna said.

Eagle would develop a network, comprising personnel drawn from the Customs, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the Railway Police and other wings, and train them in various aspects, he said.