Andhra Pradesh zero tolerance on drug trafficking: CM Chandrababu Naidu
Synopsis
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu used the International Day Against Drug Abuse to showcase concrete results — zero ganja cultivation in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, 800-plus EAGLE operations, and 325 families rehabilitated — signalling a shift from anti-drug rhetoric to measurable enforcement outcomes.
Key Takeaways
CM Chandrababu Naidu declared Andhra Pradesh's zero-tolerance stance on drug trafficking on 26 June 2025 , the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Operation Chaitanyam achieved zero cannabis cultivation in Alluri Sitarama Raju district ; alternative crops introduced across 29,840 acres .
325 families formerly involved in cannabis cultivation have been rehabilitated by the state government.
EAGLE conducted over 800 cordon-and-search operations , inspecting 1.93 lakh people and seizing 61.8 kg of cannabis and 9,346 vehicles .
Operation Garuda targeted the sale of narcotics and psychotropic substances in medical shops through a joint multi-agency approach.
Minister Nara Lokesh called on citizens, educational institutions, and civil society groups to join the state's anti-drug mission.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday, 26 June declared that Andhra Pradesh maintains an absolute zero-tolerance stance on drug trafficking, speaking on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Naidu reaffirmed the state government's commitment to prosecuting offenders while simultaneously extending rehabilitation support to those battling addiction.
CM Naidu's Message
'On this International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, we are reminded that the fight against drugs is ultimately a fight for our young people, their dreams, their health, and their future,' Naidu said in a social media post.
'The days when drugs were allowed to gain a foothold in our state are behind us. Today, Andhra Pradesh stands for zero tolerance for drug trafficking, hope for those seeking recovery, and a safer future for every family,' he added.
The Chief Minister also emphasised that the government would extend 'every possible support to those battling addiction, helping them recover with dignity and rebuild their lives.'
Minister Lokesh Outlines Key Initiatives
State Minister for Human Resources Development Nara Lokesh, in a post on X, highlighted the government's enforcement and rehabilitation achievements over recent years. Lokesh stressed that the state is 'actively dismantling drug networks while creating viable, legal livelihoods for vulnerable communities,' and called upon citizens, educational institutions, and civil society groups to join the effort.
Among the flagship programmes cited was Operation Chaitanyam, under which Alluri Sitarama Raju district achieved zero cannabis (ganja) cultivation. Alternative crops have been introduced across 29,840 acres, and 325 families previously involved in cannabis cultivation have been rehabilitated.
Operation Garuda and EAGLE's Track Record
The Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE), working alongside Vigilance Enforcement, Drug Control Administration, and local police, launched joint operations under Operation Garuda to regulate the sale of narcotics and psychotropic substances in medical shops.
EAGLE conducted more than 800 cordon-and-search operations, inspected 1.93 lakh people, and seized 61.8 kg of cannabis, 10 kg of cannabis seeds, and 9,346 vehicles. The operations reflect a multi-agency approach that goes beyond reactive policing to include border and transit monitoring.
Broader Context
This comes amid heightened national concern over drug abuse among youth, with several Indian states ramping up enforcement in border districts and coastal areas. Andhra Pradesh's coastal geography makes it particularly vulnerable to maritime drug smuggling routes, lending urgency to the state's enforcement posture. The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed annually on 26 June, serves as a global rallying point for governments to renew anti-narcotics commitments. Andhra Pradesh's detailed accounting of operational metrics — seizures, acreage, families rehabilitated — marks a shift toward measurable outcomes rather than declaratory policy alone.
Point of View
Acreage converted, families rehabilitated — which sets it apart from the standard political proclamation. The real test, however, is sustainability: Operation Chaitanyam's success in Alluri Sitarama Raju needs to be replicated in coastal districts where maritime smuggling routes remain active. Rehabilitation numbers (325 families) are modest relative to the scale of the problem, and the state has yet to publish recidivism data. Enforcement metrics alone do not tell the full story; outcome data on whether rehabilitated families have stayed off cultivation would be far more telling.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Andhra Pradesh's stance on drug trafficking?
Andhra Pradesh follows a zero-tolerance policy on drug trafficking, as reaffirmed by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on 26 June 2025. The state combines aggressive law enforcement with rehabilitation programmes for those affected by addiction.
What is Operation Chaitanyam in Andhra Pradesh?
Operation Chaitanyam is a state government initiative under which Andhra Pradesh achieved zero cannabis (ganja) cultivation in Alluri Sitarama Raju district. Alternative crops have been introduced across 29,840 acres, and 325 families previously involved in cultivation have been rehabilitated.
What is EAGLE and what has it achieved?
EAGLE stands for Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement, a specialised anti-narcotics unit in Andhra Pradesh. It has conducted over 800 cordon-and-search operations, inspected 1.93 lakh people, and seized 61.8 kg of cannabis, 10 kg of cannabis seeds, and 9,346 vehicles.
What is Operation Garuda?
Operation Garuda is a joint initiative by EAGLE, Vigilance Enforcement, Drug Control Administration, and local police to regulate the sale of narcotics and psychotropic substances in medical shops across Andhra Pradesh.
Who is Nara Lokesh and what did he say on drug abuse day?
Nara Lokesh is Andhra Pradesh's State Minister for Human Resources Development and son of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. On 26 June, he posted on X detailing the government's enforcement achievements and called on citizens, schools, and civil society to join the state's anti-drug mission.
