Challenges of combating narcotics to the fore at interstate conference of enforcement officials

Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau organised a convergence meeting with senior officers from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Goa and Tamil Nadu, along with central agencies on Thursday at the Integrated Command Control Centre mini conference hall in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. 
| Photo Credit: By Arrangement

The Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) organised the first convergence meeting of Drug Law Enforcement Agencies on Thursday at the Integrated Command Control Centre mini conference hall in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.

The session brought together senior officers from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Goa, and Tamil Nadu, along with central agencies including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Bureau of Immigration (BOI), and Customs.

The meeting was convened to address the increasing complexity of narcotic drug trafficking in India, especially in border-sharing and transit states. Officials deliberated on the need for a structured interstate coordination mechanism, timely intelligence sharing, and operational synergy to combat the evolving threats posed by interstate syndicates, synthetic drug proliferation, digital trafficking methods, and shifting trafficking routes.

Telangana DGP Jitender inaugurated the meeting and reiterated Telangana’s zero-tolerance policy towards drug-related offences. He urged officers from all participating states and agencies to cooperate closely in tackling the drug menace. Director of TGANB, Sandeep Shandilya, stressed the importance of regular sharing of intelligence during interstate operations. He also called for strict implementation of Section 64(A) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act by identifying drug users and ensuring their referral to de-addiction centres through court proceedings.

DIG Abhishek Mohanty and SP Ch. Rupesh from TGANB presented an overview of the current drug trafficking scenario in Telangana. They highlighted the growing use of digital tools, encrypted platforms, and trans-border networks in narcotic smuggling, underlining the urgent need for improved inter-agency coordination.

The meeting covered key areas such as mapping regional trafficking routes and hotspot locations, sharing information on major traffickers, habitual offenders, accused absconding, and pending non-bailable warrants. Officials discussed the creation of a platform for intelligence exchange and the drafting of standard operating procedures for handling trans-border operations, including field enforcement, legal processes, and logistics.

Discussions also extended to topics such as collaboration for financial investigations and unravelling financial trails of major traffickers. Agencies were encouraged to share their technological capabilities, including forensic tools, and jointly conduct training programmes to strengthen regional capacity.

Participating officers included Varsha Sharma, DIG from Goa; P. Vimaladitya, DIG from Kerala; Sharada Raut, Special IGP from Maharashtra; K. Nagesh Babu, SP from Andhra Pradesh; Mailavaganan, SP from Tamil Nadu; and M.C. Shiva Kumar, DSP from Karnataka.

All delegates stressed on the need for both supply and demand reduction. On the enforcement side, this includes arresting accused persons and conducting joint operations. On the preventive side, there was an emphasis on public awareness campaigns and identifying drug users for rehabilitation.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on establishing an interstate coordination framework with designated nodal officers, drafting joint guidelines for field and legal coordination, and developing formats for regular data exchange and inter-agency review. The gathering is expected to improve enforcement outcomes by strengthening operational alignment, mutual trust, and legal coordination across state lines in the fight against narcotics.