Eagle unit to combat drug menace in state

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh govt on Thursday issued orders creating an Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (Eagle) to combat the growing menace of narcotic drug trafficking and abuse within the state. The Eagle shall serve as a crucial unit in safeguarding public health, social stability and security across the state, and focus on prevention, investigation, and prosecution of drug-related crimes throughout the state.It may be recalled that AP govt has renamed the Anti-Narcotic Task Force as Eagle which is aimed at controlling drugs and ganja supply and peddling in the state.The Eagle will be headed by additional director general of police or inspector general of police rank officer. The unit shall operate under overall supervision and control of DGP of AP. It will be functioning with its headquarters and one narcotic police station in Amaravati and district narcotics control cells, one each in 26 districts of the state. AP govt will draw the personnel (constables, sub-inspectors, inspectors, DSPs and others) for the Eagle on deputation basis. It has sanctioned Rs 8.59 crore for Eagle towards pay and allowances of the personnel of the unit. The personnel who are suitable for deputation in Eagle shall undergo induction training. The tenure of all police executive personnel at the Eagle would be ordinary for three years and under no circumstances shall be more than five years. The uniform personnel deployed in Eagle shall get 30 percent special allowance during the tenure in force.The DGP is requested to pursue the matter of establishing five special courts/ fast track courts in Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Guntur, and Tirupati with the AP high court to deal with cases related to drug abuse.The total strength of the Eagle will be around 459 personnel, including 341 personnel on deputation basis. The Eagle's functions will include eradication of cultivation, production, transportation, smuggling, sale, purchase, possession and consumption of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (NDPS), including synthetic drugs.