Drugs worth Rs 26 crore seized by Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau in June, July 2023

HYDERABAD: Since its inception, Telangana State Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TSANB) has registered as many as 196 cases and arrested 399 people, apart from seizing drugs worth Rs 26.01 crore in the months of June and July.

The Telangana Government launched TSANB on May 31 as the State nodal agency for NDPS cases and liaises with Central agencies and State departments. In a press statement issued here on Thursday, TSANB officials said that of the 196 cases registered, 175 pertained to ganja, which resulted in the apprehension of 353 people. 46 persons were arrested in 21 other narcotics cases. The potential street value of the seized drugs stood at Rs 26,01,34,650.

On the awareness front, the three-day State awareness campaign in June under the theme of 'Mission Parivartana' made an indelible impact on the youth, fostering engagement and dialogue, TSANB officials said. A plethora of engaging activities including panel discussions, impactful graffiti murals, competitions, and awareness programs were conducted across the state, and the awareness wing of the bureau continues its drive to reach out to the vulnerable through all platforms, officials added.

At the State-level NCORD meeting held on July 5, Telangana Chief Secretary A Santhi Kumar and TSANB Director CV Anand stressed the need for cross-departmental synergy to devise a comprehensive strategy. In the maiden full-scale review meeting chaired by Director CV Anand recently, he explained the mission, vision and motto of the bureau to the new officers and the achievements on the narcotics front in the last 2 years and the seriousness of the Government in eradicating this menace.

The extensive review delved into several issues spanning from procurement of cutting-edge technologies and tools, to the vigilant oversight of operations and tracking mechanisms. Furthermore, the meeting addressed rectifying procedural shortcomings, monitoring precursor intermediary chemicals, ensuring robust case resolutions that culminate in convictions, conducting rigorous financial investigations, and the confiscation of ill-gotten properties using NDPS and SAFEMA acts, and re-routing of narcotics-related Dial-100 calls to TSNAB,strengthening Anti-Drug Committees (ADCs)etc.,

“Let this be our personal mission as our own children may get affected in future due to bad company and bring untold misery to the family,” CV Anand said.