Latest news with #OperationSafeCampusZone
Hans India
4 days ago
- Hans India
Cops to continue ‘Op Safe Campus Zone' near edu institutions
Vijayawada: State police have decided to continue 'Operation Safe Campus Zone', a comprehensive anti-drug initiative that was successfully conducted from July 8 to 12, 2025, across all districts in the state. The operation aimed to eradicate illicit drug sales within 100 yards of educational institutions, following the TOFEI (Tobacco Free Educational Institution) guidelines framework. While narcotic drugs, including ganja, are prohibited everywhere, this drive specifically targeted their elimination from school and college premises, along with other harmful substances like tobacco, gutka, and related products that endanger student health and safety. DGP Harish Kumar Gupta announced on Thursday in a statement that the police department has decided to extend the operation due to the excellent results achieved during the initial phase. He stated that the police verified 16,806 establishments across the state in five days and registered 25,807 cases against offenders who violated the rules by selling ganja and other banned products. A total fine of Rs. 40,62,092 was collected during the operation. Visakhapatnam district recorded 3,468 cases, Kakinada 3,115 cases, and Prakasam 4,015 cases. The police conducted searches for narcotic drugs, including ganja, NRX drugs, cough syrups, cigarettes, tobacco products, and gutka being sold near educational institutions. The operation followed a systematic approach, including intelligence-led targeting of hotspots within a 100-yard radius of educational institutions, multi-agency coordination involving the District Intelligence Wing and SB, and maintaining secrecy to ensure a surprise element. Comprehensive documentation was carried out through mandatory videography, and legal compliance was ensured under the NDPS Act 1985, BNSS 2023, and BSA 2023. Operation Safe Campus Zone will continue as an ongoing initiative to maintain sustained pressure on drug trafficking networks near educational institutions. The success of the initial five-day intensive phase has laid a strong foundation for regular monitoring and enforcement activities. The DGP stated that the operation successfully achieved its primary objective of disrupting drug sales near educational institutions, with the substantial number of cases registered and fines imposed demonstrating its effectiveness in creating a strong deterrent presence.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
25,807 cases registered under ‘Operation Safe Campus Zone' in A.P.
The Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE), in association with the law and order police of various districts, conducted raids on shops near educational institutions under 'Operation Safe Campus Zone' and booked 25,807 cases. As part of the State-wide drive, the EAGLE and police teams conducted raids on 16,806 establishments in the last month to check for the sale of narcotic drugs, ganja, cigarettes, tobacco and gutkha products near educational institutions. In total, ₹40,62,092 lakh was imposed as fine on those who violate the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, said Director General of Police (DGP) Harish Kumar Gupta, in a release, on Thursday. The 'Operation Safe Campus Zone' aims at preventing the sale of cigarettes and illicit drugs within 100 yards of educational institutions, as per the Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) guidelines, the DGP said. Based on the intelligence inputs, the police will keep a strict vigil on the hotspots and conduct raids on the shops located near the schools and colleges across the State. 'The raids will continue to maintain drug-free zones around educational institutions and protect the youth from drugs,' the DGP said.
The Hindu
30-07-2025
- The Hindu
Chief Secretary stresses on coordinated efforts to make Andhra Pradesh drug-free
Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand has stressed the importance of coordinated efforts by various State and Central agencies to make Andhra Pradesh a drug- and ganja-free State. Speaking at the second quarterly Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) meeting held on Tuesday, Mr. Vijayanand said the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE), formed by the government, was actively working to curb ganja cultivation in tribal areas of North Andhra Pradesh. He said EAGLE officers were creating awareness among tribal communities and encouraging them to shift to alternative crops such as coffee and silver oak, while also providing them with the necessary training and support. Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta, who joined the meeting virtually, highlighted the need to strengthen inter-State check posts to curb drug and ganja smuggling. Inspector General of Police and EAGLE head Ake Ravi Krishna gave an overview of several operations including Operation Garuda, Operation Safe Campus Zone, Garuda 2.0, and Operation Chaitanya. These initiatives aim to curb the sale of unprescribed drugs in medical shops, check smuggling through trains, and eliminate ganja cultivation in Alluri Sitharama Raju district. Principal Secretary (GAD) Mukesh Kumar Meena, Special Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) Krishna Babu, Principal Secretary (Home) Kumar Vishwajeet, Visakhapatnam Range DIG Gopinath Jetty, EAGLE SPs Nagesh Babu and Rajan Kumar, and officials from DRI, NCB, and IB also participated virtually.
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- New Indian Express
EAGLE, Andhra police crack whip on illegal tobacco sales near education institutions
VIJAYAWADA: In a bid to curb substance abuse near educational institutions, officials from the Elite Anti-Narcotic Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) and local police conducted inspections at Kirana and pan shops near Siddhartha Pharmacy College and Nalanda School on Pinnamaneni Polyclinic Road on Friday. 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.
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- The Hindu
Anti-narcotics EAGLE teams raid paan, kirana shops near colleges, seize tobacco, gutkha products
In a joint operation, officers of the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) and the NTR Commissionerate Police raided paan, kirana and cool drink shops located near schools and colleges on Saturday, and seized cigarettes and tobacco products. The teams headed by EAGLE chief and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ake Ravi Krishna and NTR Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) K.G.V. Saritha, K.V.S.R. Siddhartha College of Pharmaceutical Sciences Principal A. Suneetha and College Anti-Ragging Committee coordinator G. Ramana Reddy checked the shops and confiscated the cigarette, gutkha and tobacco products of various brands. 'Under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COPTA) 2003, gutkha or any other tobacco products and cigarettes should not be sold within 100 metres from educational institutions,' Mr. Ravi Krishna said. The DCP expressed ire on the police for not implementing COPTA, as many cigarettes and gutkha packets were seen in the pan shops near Siddhartha Pharmacy College, Siddhartha Institute of Hotel Management and Sri Chaitanya School on Pinnamaneni Polyclinic Road. 'Some paan shop owners were maintaining secret rooms behind the shops and were providing shelter for students for smoking and other illegal activities. Though tobacco, gutkha and other banned products were being sold openly at many places and are spoiling students, there was no action,' said a local person Naveen. 'Police, Excise and EAGLE officers should conduct surprise raids to check sale of cigarettes, ganja, narcotics and tobacco products at schools and colleges and save the lives of children,' said 60-year-old Narayana Swamy, who came to a shop during the raids. 'More than 6,000 shops have been raided under 'Operation Safe Campus Zone', and tobacco products and cigarettes, worth lakhs of rupees were seized,' the EAGLE chief said. Mr. Ravi Krishna said that cases have been registered against the shop owners. Teachers should know about COPTA and assume responsibility for implementation of Act to check anti-social activities near schools and colleges, he said. Later, the police conducted a drug awareness campaign for the students and staff at K.V.S.R. Siddhartha College of Pharmaceutical Sciences..
