EAGLE, Andhra police crack whip on illegal tobacco sales near education institutions
EAGLE Chief Ake Ravi Krishna, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Admin) KGV Saritha and other officers, led the operation under the 'Operation Safe Campus Zone' initiative.
During the inspections, officials found that the illegal sale of tobacco products and gutka continued unabated in several shops, violating the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).
Authorities served notices to violators and imposed fines. 'These checks are part of ongoing efforts to ensure a safe environment for students by curbing substance abuse near schools and colleges. Strict action will be taken against those flouting COTPA rules,' the EAGLE Chief said.
Officials held a '#DrugsOdduBro' awareness programme at Siddhartha Pharmacy College on the dangers of drug abuse. The EAGLE Chief urged teachers to promote drug- and tobacco-free campuses. He stressed ensuring safe learning environments. A formal appeal was also issued to educational institutions to support the antidrug and tobacco campaign.
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Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Andhra Pradesh's EAGLE intensify financial investigation to seizure illegal assets of ganja smugglers and their relatives
VISAKHAPATNAM: With the ganja smugglers making huge profits, the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) intensified the financial investigation to identify and seize properties of the smugglers and their close relatives. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The teams have identified more than twelve smugglers in the state who had amassed the illegal assets and the teams have decided to take the support of the officials of the other states to intensify their investigation. The 'Sheelavathi' variety of cannabis grown in Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) has a huge market and found its way to various cities and states, including Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and other places in the country. As the demand for the Sheelavathi variety weed rose across the nation, smugglers from parts of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha made substantial profits. EAGLE team have been trained on financial investigation modalities in NDPS cases as part of efforts to combat the drug menace. Under Chapter 5A of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, law enforcement agencies are granted the authority to seize, freeze and forfeit assets derived from or used in illegal drug trafficking activities, said senior IPS officer and chief of EAGLE, Ake Ravi Krishna. Our teams have been on the job to conclude the financial investigation into a total of 12 cases, in which the smugglers have amassed illegal assets by being involved in cannabis trade. We have come across a few cases wherein illegal assets were kept in benami names and also their relatives' names. Soon our teams freeze bank accounts, and seize the moveable and immovable properties of those smugglers. However, the confiscated smugglers' assets must be confirmed by a competent authority under the NDPS Act and courts, Ake Ravi Krishna added. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now We will seek the support of the officials of the other states to expose the illegal assets of inter-state ganja smugglers in the coming days, he added. Recently, the enforcement officials in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district seized the properties worth over Rs17 lakh of Perumal Srinu which were funded through cannabis smuggling. He had acquired the properties using proceeds from smuggling operations across ASR, Vizianagaram districts in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana. These properties were registered in the names of his wife and relatives in an attempt to conceal their illicit origin. Similarly, the officials in Vizianagaram district seized the properties worth over Rs48 lakh of Pati Khila alias Guru (32), a native of Basuput in Koraput district of Odisha for his involvement in various cannabis smuggling cases in Andhra Pradesh. Once the confiscation order is issued by the competent authority, the government can auction the seized properties of the ganja smugglers. The officials said they are freezing properties of the ganja smugglers during investigation and attaching them after conviction. We have been coordinating with officials of banks, revenue department, prosecutors and sources to ensure the confiscation of the illegal assets and financial sources linked to accused ganja smugglers, the officials added
The Hindu
17 hours ago
- The Hindu
Sale of cigarettes, gutkha products rampant near educational institutions
Recent searches on paan shops and other establishments by Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) and the NTR commissionerate of police laid bare the poor implementation of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COPTA-2003). Special teams led by EAGLE head and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ake Ravi Krishna and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP-NTR) K.G.V. Saritha and other police officers searched shops near education institutions on Pinnamaneni Polyclinic Road near Benz Circle a few days ago and seized different brands of cigarettes, gutkha packets and tobacco products. These shops were located near a pharma college, a hotel management institute, a degree college and a couple of schools. 'We have booked the shop owners and explained to them COPTA–2003 and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985,' Mr. Ravi Krishna said. EAGLE officials noticed a secret room attached to a paan shop and found students smoking in it. Locals alleged that despite several complaints on the sale of banned gutkha products and cigarettes at paan shops near educational institutions, there was no response. 'Some shop owners sold cigarettes and tobacco products to schoolchildren and maintained secret rooms,' Sriram, a youth, told the EAGLE team. Meanwhile, Director-General of Police (DGP) Harish Kumar Gupta directed the police to conduct searches and prevent the sale of tobacco products, gutkhas and cigarettes within 100 yards of educational institutions. 'The joint raids were aimed at implementing the guidelines of Tobacco Free Education Institutions (TOFEI) and prevent the sale of narcotic drugs. cigarettes, gutkha and tobacco products,' the DGP said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Eagle chief interacts with ganja offenders, says most peddlers unaware of NDPS Act
1 2 Visakhapatnam: A Ravi Krishna, head of the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (Eagle), interacted with several prisoners involved in ganja-related offences at Vizag central prison. He noted that most convicts were unaware of the consequences of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Ravi Krishna informed reporters that Vizag Central Prison currently houses approximately 1,800 inmates, of whom around 1,020 are linked to ganja-related cases. During the interaction, he observed that most of these prisoners were unaware of the legal implications of the NDPS Act. Some admitted to transporting weed for money at the behest of smugglers, which led to their incarceration. He added that a few now realize the seriousness of the Act and how difficult it is to obtain bail under it. One convicted prisoner tearfully shared that he had no knowledge of the NDPS Act when he got involved in ganja smuggling. Choking with emotion, he expressed regret over missing valuable time with his family and said he now wants to educate others about the law after completing his sentence. Many prisoners charged with ganja-related offences have been in jail for six months to a year and continue to struggle to secure bail. Eagle has been actively identifying ganja peddlers and consumers across the state and has made several arrests. "We are also working to educate students and young people about the NDPS Act," Ravi Krishna added. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
