Hyderabad: The increasing problem of drug trafficking in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is becoming a serious concern. Many are questioning whether it’s time for Central agencies to step in and help tackle this growing issue.
In recent times, raids and drug seizures have become common across different districts in these two Telugu-speaking states. What’s even more alarming is the growing number of school and college students getting involved in drug use, which is very disturbing.
One area that has seen a significant number of drug-related arrests is Gachibowli, which is part of Hyderabad’s financial district. This raises concerns that drug networks are trying to expand their reach into the city’s IT corridor. Many of those arrested by the Telangana police have been linked to networks that source marijuana (ganja) from the Chinturu area, located near the Andhra-Odisha border.
However, the police in Andhra Pradesh, particularly from the Alluri Sitharamaraju (ASR) district, claim they are taking strong action against ganja cultivation in Chinturu. They argue that the marijuana seized in Telangana is actually coming from Malkangiri district in Odisha. On the other hand, Odisha police assert that the illegal cultivation is happening just 10 kilometers away from Chinturu, in a remote area. The difficult terrain in Malkangiri is being exploited by cultivators, who also use water resources from Chinturu. Although this area technically falls under Odisha, drug smugglers can easily move their supply through Andhra Pradesh.
Given the complexity of the situation, the governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have decided to work together to combat the drug menace.
Adding to the problem, people from other states like Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan are getting involved in these illegal activities. The Telangana police have even arrested several foreigners who were caught trafficking drugs into Hyderabad. It appears that rogue networks are increasingly targeting Hyderabad and other areas in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to spread the drug menace.
This situation raises an important question: Should Central enforcement agencies also step up their efforts and work with Telangana and Andhra Pradesh? The growing involvement of people from multiple states, and the complex networks spreading across various regions, suggest that a coordinated effort might be necessary to tackle the issue effectively.
