Hyderabad: Central, state anti-narcotics agencies to jointly map drug trafficking routes

Hyderabad: Central and state anti-narcotics agencies have agreed to jointly map drug trafficking routes and hotspot zones in the country.

This key decision was taken in the First Convergence Meeting of Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, hosted by the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) in Hyderabad.

The meeting saw participation from senior officials of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and national agencies including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Customs, and Bureau of Immigration (BoI).

Enhanced coordination and intelligence sharing

As drug trafficking grows more complex with the rise of synthetic drugs, digital transactions, and interstate syndicates, the need for real-time intelligence exchange, coordinated operations, and legal synchrony was emphasized by all participants.

The agencies agreed to develop a common platform for sharing intelligence, identifying and tracking habitual offenders, major traffickers, and absconders, and to establish nodal officers in each state for operational coordination. Additionally, they drafted Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for trans-border investigations.

Telangana reinforces Zero-Tolerance Policy

Inaugurating the meeting, Telangana DGP Dr Jitender highlighted the state’s commitment to a zero-tolerance approach towards drugs and urged all agencies to work together in a seamless enforcement ecosystem.

TGANB Director Sandeep Shandilya emphasized the importance of sharing intelligence during interstate operations and proposed referring drug consumers to de-addiction centers through the courts under Section 64(A) of the NDPS Act.

Focus on financial investigations and technology

The convergence meeting also emphasized uncovering financial trails of drug traffickers, sharing forensic and digital tools across agencies, conducting joint training programmes to build capacity, and enhancing cross-border legal and logistical cooperation.

Senior officers from NCB, DRI, ED, and other agencies underscored the importance of aligning field operations with financial investigations to disrupt the larger network behind drug distribution.

A united front against narcotics

TGANB DIG Abhishek Mohanty and SP Ch Rupesh presented insights into the current drug trafficking scenario in Telangana and stressed the importance of a dual strategy: supply reduction through arrests and demand reduction through awareness and rehabilitation.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to institutionalize regular coordination reviews, formalize inter-agency SOPs, and build long-term partnerships to dismantle drug cartels and protect communities. This convergence, officials said, is not just a meeting but the foundation of a unified, nationwide counter-narcotics framework.