Latest news with #AkeRaviKrishna
New Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Andhra's EAGLE launches ‘Op Garuda 2.0' to misuse of opiod
VIJAYAWADA: In a concerted effort to curb the misuse of the restricted drug 'opioid,' the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE), Drug Control Administration (DCA), and the Andhra Pradesh Chemists and Druggists Association launched Operation Garuda 2.0 with a state-wide workshop in Vijayawada on Monday. EAGLE chief Ake Ravi Krishna, NTR DCP KGV Saritha, and DCA Director General Dr Manjula D Hosmani addressed the workshop, urging chemists and pharmaceutical traders not to sell opioids without a valid prescription. Explaining the dangers of opioid misuse, Ravi Krishna said these drugs, derived from the opium poppy or synthesised in labs, are intended for managing moderate to severe pain. 'Youngsters are misusing opioids for a sense of euphoria. Prolonged use can lead to severe health and neurological issues,' he warned. The officials stressed the need for stricter monitoring and compliance, highlighting the drug's addictive potential and its growing threat among youth. DCA and EAGLE officials also resolved to conduct joint operations across the State to curb the illegal sale and misuse of opioids, signalling a stronger push against the narcotics menace.
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- New Indian Express
EAGLE, Andhra police crack whip on illegal tobacco sales near education institutions
VIJAYAWADA: In a bid to curb substance abuse near educational institutions, officials from the Elite Anti-Narcotic Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) and local police conducted inspections at Kirana and pan shops near Siddhartha Pharmacy College and Nalanda School on Pinnamaneni Polyclinic Road on Friday. EAGLE Chief Ake Ravi Krishna, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Admin) KGV Saritha and other officers, led the operation under the 'Operation Safe Campus Zone' initiative. During the inspections, officials found that the illegal sale of tobacco products and gutka continued unabated in several shops, violating the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). Authorities served notices to violators and imposed fines. 'These checks are part of ongoing efforts to ensure a safe environment for students by curbing substance abuse near schools and colleges. Strict action will be taken against those flouting COTPA rules,' the EAGLE Chief said. Officials held a '#DrugsOdduBro' awareness programme at Siddhartha Pharmacy College on the dangers of drug abuse. The EAGLE Chief urged teachers to promote drug- and tobacco-free campuses. He stressed ensuring safe learning environments. A formal appeal was also issued to educational institutions to support the antidrug and tobacco campaign.
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- The Hindu
Anti-narcotics EAGLE teams raid paan, kirana shops near colleges, seize tobacco, gutkha products
In a joint operation, officers of the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) and the NTR Commissionerate Police raided paan, kirana and cool drink shops located near schools and colleges on Saturday, and seized cigarettes and tobacco products. The teams headed by EAGLE chief and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ake Ravi Krishna and NTR Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) K.G.V. Saritha, K.V.S.R. Siddhartha College of Pharmaceutical Sciences Principal A. Suneetha and College Anti-Ragging Committee coordinator G. Ramana Reddy checked the shops and confiscated the cigarette, gutkha and tobacco products of various brands. 'Under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COPTA) 2003, gutkha or any other tobacco products and cigarettes should not be sold within 100 metres from educational institutions,' Mr. Ravi Krishna said. The DCP expressed ire on the police for not implementing COPTA, as many cigarettes and gutkha packets were seen in the pan shops near Siddhartha Pharmacy College, Siddhartha Institute of Hotel Management and Sri Chaitanya School on Pinnamaneni Polyclinic Road. 'Some paan shop owners were maintaining secret rooms behind the shops and were providing shelter for students for smoking and other illegal activities. Though tobacco, gutkha and other banned products were being sold openly at many places and are spoiling students, there was no action,' said a local person Naveen. 'Police, Excise and EAGLE officers should conduct surprise raids to check sale of cigarettes, ganja, narcotics and tobacco products at schools and colleges and save the lives of children,' said 60-year-old Narayana Swamy, who came to a shop during the raids. 'More than 6,000 shops have been raided under 'Operation Safe Campus Zone', and tobacco products and cigarettes, worth lakhs of rupees were seized,' the EAGLE chief said. Mr. Ravi Krishna said that cases have been registered against the shop owners. Teachers should know about COPTA and assume responsibility for implementation of Act to check anti-social activities near schools and colleges, he said. Later, the police conducted a drug awareness campaign for the students and staff at K.V.S.R. Siddhartha College of Pharmaceutical Sciences..
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- The Hindu
Ganja peddlers travelling in trains targeted to check smuggling from AOB region
Officials of the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) targeted the trains coming to Andhra Pradesh from Odisha to check ganja smuggling. As ganja was being smuggled through trains from Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) region, police were focussing on transportation to curb the menace. 'Under 'Operation Vijay', EAGLE police, in association with the Government Railway Police (GRP), Prohibition of Excise (P&E), Law and Order, and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) conducted raids in railway stations and on running trains in the last two days. They seized ganja from four trains and registered cases,' said EAGLE Head and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ake Ravi Krishna. Speaking to The Hindu on Tuesday, Mr. Ravi Krishna said that police confiscated 17 kg of ganja from Konark Express at Anakapalli railway station. Similarly, the joint teams seized 15 kg ganja from Rayagada Passenger at Parvathipuram. Meanwhile, ganja chocolates were seized in separate raids from the Tambaram Express, near Tenali, and Coromandel Express in Vijayawada, Mr. Ravi Krishna said. 'Police took the peddlers into custody and produced them in court. The ganja chocolates were being transported to Chennai and other places,' the IGP said. Explaining the modus operandi of the accused, Mr. Ravi Krishna said that the smugglers were transporting low quantity ganja from tribal habitations in Odisha. 'The smuggler would board an unreserved (general) coach, keep the bag containing ganja under a seat, a short distance away. When police seize the bag, they will pretend as if they are unaware,' the EAGLE chief said. Instructions have been given to check all the passenger and express trains coming from Odisha to check ganja smuggling. 'Operation Vijay' will continue in all railway stations in Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Ravi Krishna said.
New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- New Indian Express
EAGLE steps up raids as ganja smuggling via trains, buses surges; interstate racket busted
VIJAYAWADA: Special Enforcement Wing for Narcotic Substance Control — Elite Anti-Narcotic Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) — has uncovered an increasing trend of smuggling ganja in trains to transport it along with sedatives while posing as regular passengers. During an inspection aboard the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express on Thursday, EAGLE teams, in coordination with Railway Protection Force (RPF), nabbed a man smuggling ganja from Shalimar to Chennai. In separate incidents, the teams seized two packets of ganja from a passenger on the Tambaram Weekly Superfast Express and 19 kg from two people aboard the Rayagada Passenger. 'In light of recent seizures, EAGLE is preparing for Statewide raids and intensified inspections of trains and buses, especially after busting the 'chocolate ganja' racket being routed to Chennai and other destinations through Andhra Pradesh,' said EAGLE Chief Ake Ravi Krishna. He added, 'Intelligence inputs from neighbouring states and other enforcement wings are being actively pursued, with a strict action plan in place for sustained surprise inspections.' Over 400 personnel from EAGLE, RPF, Government Railway Police (GRP), and local police have been deployed to trace ganja sources, gather information, and conduct public awareness drives. EAGLE teams plan to hold counselling for private bus operators, State-run transport corporations, and cab services, urging them to check passenger's luggage in case of suspicion. 'Such cooperation will help curb ganja smuggling through public transport. We have apprehended smugglers using RTC buses and private cabs,' Krishna said. An interstate intelligence-sharing network has been set up, and properties of arrested smugglers are being seized and attached through court proceedings, he added. Officials noted that smuggled ganja originates from Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Bihar.
