Telangana drug crackdown: EAGLE books 2,542 NDPS cases, seizes Rs 172 crore worth drugs in 2025

Hyderabad: The drug menace in Telangana has intensified sharply, with enforcement agencies registering as many as 2,542 NDPS cases involving as many as 8,322 accused persons till November 2025.

DGP Shivadhar Reddy said that cases registered under the NDPS Act have increased to 31 per cent in 2025, due to strict enforcement by the EAGLE forces teams across the state.

According to the Telangana Police Annual Report 2025, for the same period, narcotics worth over Rs 172 crore have been seized.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, B Shivadhar Reddy, Director General of Police, said that despite sustained enforcement and intelligence-led operations, drug trafficking continues to pose a grave law-and-order, social and public health challenge across the State.

Rail routes, local production under focus

Police recorded a significant rise in drug trafficking through railway networks during the year.

Fifty-five railway-linked NDPS cases were detected, leading to the arrest of 70 persons and seizure of 885 kilograms of ganja.

More alarmingly, enforcement agencies busted 12 clandestine drug-manufacturing units, including six units during 2025 alone, indicating a dangerous shift towards localised drug production.

Officials attributed the increased detections to intensified operations by the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau – EAGLE Force, whose intelligence-driven strategy exposed several organised networks.

Helpline complaints are largely addressed

The EAGLE Force helpline numbers are 1908 and 8712671111. They received 317 complaints during the year. Of these, 297 complaints were resolved, reflecting improved response mechanisms and follow-up by enforcement teams, the police declared.

Foreign nationals and illegal immigrants booked

Police arrested 20 foreign nationals, including 15 Nigerians and five Nepalese citizens, for their involvement in narcotics trafficking.

Additionally, 76 foreign nationals, primarily from African countries and found operating drug supply networks illegally, were deported and blacklisted in coordination with Central agencies to prevent re-entry.

Massive drug disposal drive

As part of disposal measures, authorities destroyed 26,988 kg of ganja linked to 2,337 cases during 2025, valued at Rs 142.8 crore.

Over the last three years, Telangana has destroyed 1,23,897 kilograms of ganja worth Rs 376.47 crore, marking one of the largest drug destruction exercises undertaken by any State in the country.

Financial backbone of syndicates targeted

Under provisions of the NDPS Act, enforcement agencies attached properties worth Rs 41.47 crore from drug offenders during 2025.

With this, total confiscations over the past three years have reached Rs 97.27 crore. Police said financial investigations were prioritised to dismantle the economic foundations of drug syndicates.

Courts secured 81 convictions in NDPS cases during the year, with sentences ranging from six months to 20 years’ imprisonment.

Hawala money, spurious liquor seized

Enforcement teams seized Rs 3.08 crore in hawala cash generated through drug trafficking networks. In parallel operations against illicit liquor, officials confiscated spurious alcohol worth Rs 42.98 crore, striking at organised adulteration rackets.

Inter-state and national operations

EAGLE Force conducted major inter-state operations in Goa, Delhi, Maharashtra, Ranchi and other states.

Joint operations with the Narcotics Control Bureau and Delhi Police led to the busting of Nigerian drug cartels, freezing of 107 bank accounts and dismantling of nationwide supply networks, officials said.

Operation ‘Kalthi Kallu’

In a landmark crackdown on adulterated toddy, EAGLE Force launched Operation ‘Kalthi Kallu’, targeting the illegal use of Alprazolam to spike toddy.

Multi-departmental coordination resulted in seizures worth Rs 42.98 crore and the closure of clandestine factories in Telangana and Maharashtra, dealing a major blow to organised liquor adulteration syndicates.

Awareness and demand reduction measures

Alongside enforcement, authorities intensified preventive initiatives, which include:

- 20,989 Prahari Clubs established in government and private schools

- 1,405 Anti-Drug Committees formed in colleges

- 47,881 Anti-Drug Soldiers enrolled statewide

- 571 awareness programmes by EAGLE Force

- 1,472 programmes conducted by the district police

Officials said these initiatives aim to curb demand and prevent first-time drug use, particularly among youth.

Rehabilitation and health-centred approach

A Standard Operating Procedure for de-addiction was developed under Section 64(A) of the NDPS Act, emphasising treatment-based intervention for drug users.

Authorities strengthened de-addiction centres, including prison-based rehabilitation facilities, recognising substance abuse as both a criminal justice and public health issue.

Drug abuse linked to eight shocking crimes

An EAGLE Force report has revealed that eight sensational crimes reported this year were directly linked to drug abuse, highlighting the devastating social fallout of narcotics addiction.

One of the most shocking incidents involved a Telugu film producer who died in Dubai. Though initially believed to be a heart attack, investigations later confirmed drug overdose as the cause of death.

Brutality under the influence

In Hyderabad, an elderly industrialist was brutally murdered by his grandson, who was found to be under the influence of drugs.

A 26-year-old man from Tellapur killed his mother following prolonged addiction to alcohol and narcotics.

Two youths died in an autorickshaw at Chandrayangutta after injecting drugs using syringes.

A Hyderabad-based BTech student studying at an IIT in North India died by suicide, with drug addiction cited as a key factor.

A 17-year-old student from Balapur died after injecting a dissolved Schedule H1 drug.

In Kukatpally, a man was beaten to death for questioning youths creating a nuisance while intoxicated.

In Rajendranagar, a mobile technician died after consuming excessive drugs in his flat, while his friend survived.

A Telugu film producer in Goa died by suicide after slipping into depression and substance abuse due to financial distress.

A growing social emergency

Officials warned that despite increased seizures and arrests, drug syndicates continue to operate covertly, supplying ganja, hash oil, opium, MDMA, cocaine, amphetamines and LSD through multiple channels.

The deaths and violent crimes reported this year underline how drug abuse is eroding human values and public safety, making the fight against narcotics a pressing social and public health priority.