In an innovative move, the Asifabad sub-division police force recently utilized cutting-edge drone technology to successfully uncover and seize 80 ganja (cannabis) plants. These illegal crops were discovered cleverly hidden within cotton fields across two different villages in the Kumram Bheem Asifabad district during an operation on Sunday.
This particular intelligence-led initiative, bolstered by valuable community tips, specifically targeted illicit cultivation disguised amongst legitimate agricultural produce in the Kerameri and Lingapur mandals. The entire operation was executed under the direct oversight of Asifabad Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) S. Chitharanjan, as confirmed by police statements.
So far this year, the Asifabad sub-division police have demonstrated consistent efforts in combating drug cultivation, having already confiscated approximately 550 ganja plants and registered 53 cases under the stringent Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985.
The region’s challenging landscape, characterized by dense forest cover and rugged hilly terrain, often makes manual search operations for concealed cannabis plants extremely difficult. In this context, the adoption of drone surveillance has proven to be an invaluable and highly effective tool.
ASP Chitharanjan, who spearheaded the recent crackdown, confirmed that the aerial surveillance successfully located 50 ganja plants in Narayanaguda and an additional 30 plants in Lingapur.
With each seized plant estimated to be worth approximately ₹10,000 in the illicit market, Sunday’s operation alone accounted for seizures valued at nearly ₹8 lakh. This brings the total estimated value of confiscated drugs by the division this year to a substantial ₹55 lakh.
The ASP emphasized the undeniable effectiveness of drones, not only in detecting cannabis plantations but also in facilitating the rapid collection of crucial evidence for legal proceedings.
Every case stemming from these operations is diligently registered under the NDPS Act, which mandates severe penalties for individuals involved in such offenses.
He further clarified that any land found to be utilized for the illegal cultivation of ganja is subject to government seizure. Moreover, farmers implicated in such activities will automatically lose their eligibility for various agricultural benefit schemes, serving as a strong deterrent.