Telangana cracks down on ganja trade; identifies grey spots in Hyderabad

The drive is part of the state government’s Praja Palana – Pragati Pranalika 99-day action plan.

Special teams have been constituted, hotspots identified, and surveillance strengthened to prevent illegal transportation and sales.

Special Task Forces formed

As part of the intensified operations, the Excise Enforcement Wing has deployed four Special Task Force (STF) teams along with dedicated Enforcement units. At the district level, District Task Force (DTF) teams have also been formed to conduct continuous inspections and surprise raids.

Officials said the focus is not only on narcotics control but also on preventing revenue losses caused by the illegal sale of Non-Duty Paid Liquor.

Hotspots identified in Hyderabad

The department has identified several vulnerable areas in and around Hyderabad where illegal activities are concentrated. These include:

Dhulipet, Narayanguda, Fatehnagar, Sitaphalmandi, Neredmet, Serilingampally, Kukatpally, Moosapet, Dilsukhnagar, LB Nagar, Uppal, Nagole, Annojiguda, and Mugur bastis.

Apart from ground surveillance in these locations, checking has been intensified at railway stations, trains, and inter-state check-posts.

Crackdown on Non-Duty Paid Liquor (NDPL)

According to Excise officials, large quantities of NDPL are being smuggled into Telangana from Delhi, Noida, Goa, and Haryana.

Special drives are being conducted at the airport, railway stations, and border check-posts to intercept illegal liquor consignments.

During 2025, inspections carried out by Shamshabad, Saroornagar, and Meerpet Excise Stations led to the seizure of 335 litres of liquor in 43 cases within just two months.

Overall in 2025, these three stations registered 337 cases and seized 3,631 litres of liquor. Across Telangana, a total of 1,251 cases were booked, and 16,103 litres of NDPL liquor were seized.

Massive Ganja and Drug Seizures

The department has also stepped up its fight against ganja and synthetic drugs.

In 2025:

Enforcement teams seized 565 kg of ganja.

STF teams seized 1,346 kg of ganja.

In Khammam district alone, 185 kg of ganja was seized in 23 cases within two months.

Additionally, officials confiscated 686 ganja plants along with narcotic substances such as OG Kush, MDMA, hashish oil, and ganja-infused chocolates.

“Raids Further Intensified”: Enforcement Director

Excise Enforcement Director Shanawaz Qasim said that raids have been significantly intensified as part of the 99-day action plan.

“We are strictly implementing the government’s directions under the Praja Palana programme. Enforcement teams are conducting continuous raids. We are tightening control over NDPL and taking all necessary measures to prevent the inflow of ganja and drugs into Telangana,” he said.

Focus on a Drug-Free Telangana

The government has reiterated its commitment to making Telangana drug-free. Officials said enforcement operations will be further strengthened in the coming weeks, with expanded intelligence gathering, surveillance, and coordinated inter-agency action.