Anti-Narcotics Task Force office set up in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to cover 5 police units

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Maharashtra Police set up a dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) office in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse. The unit will function as a regional hub and cover five police units — the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city police commissionerate, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar rural police, and the districts of Jalna, Beed and Dharashiv.Senior officials said the decision to locate the ANTF office in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was taken considering the city's strategic location in the Marathwada region and its connectivity to surrounding districts. They said the unit is expected to improve coordination among district police units and enable quicker intelligence sharing and operational response against narcotics-related offences.The special squad will be headed by Sainath Thombre, an officer of the rank of sub-divisional police officer (SDPO). He will be assisted by inspector Geeta Bagwade, along with two assistant inspectors, two sub-inspectors and a team of 18 constables. Officials said the team has been constituted to ensure round-the-clock surveillance, intelligence gathering and swift action against drug networks operating across district boundaries.Thombre told TOI that the ANTF will focus on tracking supply chains, identifying peddlers and dismantling organised drug syndicates active in urban and rural pockets of Marathwada. Special emphasis will be laid on interdistrict operations, monitoring transport routes and conducting surprise checks based on technical and human intelligence inputs.The formation of the dedicated unit comes amid growing concerns over the availability of narcotic substances, particularly among youths, and the increasing use of the region as a transit route. Police officers believe that with a centralised office and a specialised team, enforcement efforts will become more effective and targeted.Apart from enforcement, the task force is also expected to work closely with local police stations on awareness initiatives and preventive measures. Coordination with other specialised wings and agencies is also on the agenda to ensure a comprehensive approach to tackling the drug menace.Officials said the ANTF office in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar will begin full-fledged operations shortly and will play a key role in strengthening the state's overall anti-narcotics strategy in the Marathwada region.