Across Andhra Pradesh, law enforcement agencies conducted a widespread series of raids and searches under the banner of 'Operation Vajra Prahar'. The operation targeted drug trafficking and illegal substances, encompassing the seizure of significant quantities of cannabis and the destruction of cultivation sites. Police also apprehended individuals for possessing firearms and narcotics, and interdicted illegal liquor.
Key seizures and apprehensions included:
110 kg of cannabis seeds in Paderu.
Destruction of a cannabis plant in Nuzvid.
19 kg of ganja seized from a train in Nellore by Government Railway Police.
A suspect in Vijayawada, Kanakam Murali Patel, arrested with a country-made revolver, five bullets, and pepper spray after allegedly threatening officers. A separate search in Machavaram yielded 19.7 grams of MDMA and four mobile phones, with four arrests.
Multiple districts, including Kurnool, Anantapur, and Nandyal, reported seizures of ganja and illicit arrack.
The statewide operation involved approximately 4,800 police personnel and members of the EAGLE (Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement) wing, covering 94 sensitive locations across 88 police sub-divisions. This coordinated effort aimed to disrupt drug supply networks and reinforce law and order.
Wider Net Cast in the Sweep
The broader scope of 'Operation Vajra Prahar' extended to various districts and urban centers. Pattikonda DSP Venkataramaiah oversaw operations involving around 70 personnel, focusing on areas suspected of drug activity. This included residential zones, transportation hubs, and derelict structures. 'Rowdy-sheeters' and individuals with prior suspect sheets were also summoned for counseling, with explicit warnings against engaging in illicit dealings.
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Authorities examined 1,856 vehicles during the operation. Recoveries included 238 liquor bottles, 115 liters of illicit arrack, and 1,300 liters of jaggery wash used in its production.
Aims and Declarations
The stated objective of 'Operation Vajra Prahar', according to IGP Ravi Krishna of the EAGLE wing, is to create a 'drug-free Andhra Pradesh' by dismantling ganja supply networks. He affirmed a 'zero-tolerance policy' toward drug-related offenses and encouraged public cooperation through the AP EAGLE helpline (1972). The operation was conducted under the general direction of Andhra Pradesh DGP Harish Kumar Gupta.
Background of the Action
The 'Operation Vajra Prahar' drive is presented as a concentrated push by the Andhra Pradesh Police to combat drug abuse and trafficking. The widespread nature of the operation, encompassing raids, searches, and direct intervention against suspected criminal elements, underscores a declared commitment to eradicating narcotics and related criminal activities within the state. The emphasis on coordinated efforts across multiple police divisions and the involvement of specialized anti-narcotics units highlight the perceived scale of the issue being addressed.
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