Visakhapatnam: The Visakhapatnam Range Police have recorded 538 cases and apprehended 1,505 individuals in 2024, seizing over 27,000 kilograms of Ganja and 95 liters of hashish oil in the process. Among those arrested, nearly 640 were interstate offenders, while 560 suspects are still at large.In a conversation with the Deccan Chronicle, Visakhapatnam Range DIG Gopinath Jatti discussed the extensive strategy employed to tackle illegal drug trafficking. “We have set up 39 interstate checkpoints and mobilized 32 special teams to capture absconding offenders,” he stated. The police have also integrated technological measures, including CCTV surveillance at checkpoints, which are directly connected to district SP offices, and deployed 11 specialized canine units for detecting contraband. The DIG noted positive developments in judicial outcomes, mentioning that 35 individuals have been convicted across 18 cases, with 18 receiving sentences of over 10 years. Furthermore, the police have initiated 52 proposals under the PD Act against notorious offenders and opened 529 suspect sheets to monitor significant players in the drug trade. Since June 2024, a comprehensive operation has been launched covering 173 villages and approximately 6,000 acres to combat illegal cultivation. “Our drone surveillance has proven effective, completing over 204 flight hours and surveying 3,924 acres across 115 remote villages, resulting in the discovery and destruction of 32.65 acres of Ganja plantations,” the DIG added. He emphasized the importance of rehabilitation efforts as well. We have initiated alternative cultivation programs in collaboration with agricultural authorities, benefiting over 10,300 farmers across 10,837 acres. We’ve introduced 18 different crops, including silver oak, coffee, and saffron, and distributed 4,496 quintals of rajma seeds to 35,618 farmers. To address the broader social impact of drug abuse, the DIG concluded by stating that they have conducted 2,590 awareness campaigns and established de-addiction centers in Paderu, Anakapalli, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam. Currently, these centers are providing treatment to 15 individuals struggling with substance abuse issues.
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