Rail Crackdown Targets Ganja Smuggling from AOB Region

Speedy Summary:

• Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) conducted raids under ‘Operation Vijay’ to curb ganja smuggling via trains in andhra Pradesh.
• Collaborating with Government Railway Police (GRP), Prohibition of Excise (P&E), Law and Order, and Railway Protection Force (RPF), raids were done over two days at railway stations and on running trains.
• Seizures included:

– 17 kg of ganja from Konark Express at Anakapalli railway station.- 15 kg of ganja from Rayagada Passenger at Parvathipuram.
– Ganja chocolates confiscated near Tenali and Vijayawada from Tambaram Express and Coromandel Express.

• The smugglers used unreserved train coaches, hiding ganja bags under seats to avoid detection, as explained by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ake Ravi Krishna.
• Peddlers detained during the operation have been produced in court. Smuggled goods were being transported primarily to Chennai and other regions.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The intensification of anti-narcotics operations like ‘Operation Vijay’ reflects a concerted effort to address the recurring issue of ganja smuggling between Odisha’s tribal regions and cities in Andhra Pradesh. By targeting railways-one of the primary transportation channels for illicit trade-the initiative addresses a critical logistics gap widely exploited by smugglers.

The seizures indicate not only widespread usage but also diversification, as products like “ganja chocolates” suggest attempts to repackage substances for easier transportation or alternate consumption methods. EAGLE’s strategic collaboration with multiple agencies-alongside directives to monitor incoming trains-demonstrates multi-stakeholder engagement essential for sustainable disruption.

For India, scaling such operations signals increased focus on narcotic control measures amidst rising concerns about organized drug networks operating across states. While disruptions can create immediate deterrence, addressing root causes within vulnerable tribal areas may form part of broader resolution strategies in reducing reliance on illicit cultivation within thes regions.

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Image Description: Police checking trains with sniffer dogs as part of ‘Operation Vijay’ at Eluru railway station.