Andhra Pradesh forms EAGLE, creates special courts to fight drug-related crimes

Andhra Pradesh Home Department announced the formation of an Elite Anti-Narcotics Group named “EAGLE” to intensify the fight against drug-related crimes in the state. This initiative aims to strengthen public health, safety and social responsibility by focusing on the prevention, investigation and prosecution of drug crimes.

EAGLE’s headquarters and dedicated Narcotics Police Station will be located in Amaravati. The unit will consist of 358 officers, 341 on deputation and 17 on regular appointment. To ensure comprehensive coverage, 26 District Narcotics Control Cells will be established, one in each district of Andhra Pradesh. A special allowance of 30 percent will be given to the personnel working at the headquarters, narcotics police station and regional control cells, in recognition of the difficulty of their duties.

To support EAGLE’s operations, the government has allocated a budget of Rs 8.59 billion. The group will operate through five major divisions: Investigation Monitoring and Legal Wing, Documentation Training and Awareness Wing, Administrative and Logistics Wing, Technical Wing and State Task Force. These specialized units aim to streamline operations, increase efficiency and promote a coordinated approach to tackling drug-related challenges.

Additionally, an armed surveillance security system will be established at the Amaravati head office, where 249 personnel will work. A free central control room with 12 call takers will further strengthen communication and rapid response capabilities. To ensure transparency and prevent abuse, seized drugs will be continuously monitored through the Central Repository equipped with CCTV surveillance.

The state government is also prioritizing speedy justice for drug-related crimes by setting up five special courts in Visakhapatnam, Rajamahendravaram, Vijayawada, Guntur and Tirupati. These courts, operating under the Andhra Pradesh High Court, are expected to speed up the legal process and give timely decisions.