Police said the drugs were being smuggled from the United Visakhapatnam Agency. (Representative)
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh:
Police said on Saturday that 35 history-sheeters involved in smuggling of cannabis and drugs have been arrested by Visakhapatnam Police using ‘Anti-Punk Squad’ and ‘Anti Narcotic Squad’.
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act cases were registered against the arrested persons and further investigation has been initiated in collaboration with Anti Narcotic Drugs Team.
Visakhapatnam city police commissioner CH Srikanth told ANI, “35 miscreants (history-sheets) have been arrested, who were involved in cannabis smuggling and illegal activities in Visakhapatnam city. The accused are mostly from northern India, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, belongs to Kerala.”
The Commissioner informed that ‘Anti-Goonda Squad’ and ‘Anti-Narcotics Squad’ with 10 members respectively have been constituted to look into the activities of drug smuggling and miscreants.
Srikanth said that cannabis is being smuggled from the United Visakhapatnam Agency and Odisha.
The commissioner said, “They are selling cannabis and drugs in small quantities to Vizag youth. We have kept a close watch on smuggling activities. Our Anti Narcotic Team and Special Enforcement Bureau have arrested huge quantity of cannabis and arrested inter-state smugglers. “
“We have come to know that synthetic drugs are also being imported into Visakhapatnam city from Hyderabad, Bangalore, Goa and other states. Our teams have arrested peddlers in Visakhapatnam, most of them directly forcibly despite being alerted by the police. Recovery and settlements are involved. We will keep an eye on them. We will not tolerate any such illegal activities within the limits of the City Commissionerate.”
“We are organizing Marpu (change) de-addiction program which is getting good response from Vizag people. Parents should focus on children. If any youth is going into addiction in early stage, they should be taken to counseling centre. Must come. Our police is working with NGOs in Marpu program.”
Commissioner C Srikanth directed the squad to depute informers in the city to collect information about the ganja trade, money laundering and other illegal activities. In view of this situation, the Commissioner has decided to make more efforts to bring down the persons accused in such offences.
Srikanth directed the officials to make extra efforts to nab any rowdy chadar or his assistants involved in the ganja trade. Further, the commissioner directed the officers to track their network thoroughly and investigate each and every accused and suspect.
According to the police, the anti-goonda squad will be headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Govinda Rao, Special Branch, who will guide two other sub-inspectors.
The Anti-Goonda Squad will work closely with the local police stations to gather information about any suspects in Vizag cases of murder, attempt to murder and extortion.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)