The Advanced Data Processing Research Institute (ADPRI) that comes under the central government used satellite imagery to determine that 10,000 acres of land in Andhra Pradesh cultivates marijuana (ganja). The mapping for the same is in progress and reportedly, there could be more land being used for the cultivation of the drug.
The reason for the rise is said to be lack of coordination between the investigative agencies, providing ganja smugglers and cultivators the freedom to do their jobs. Most of the land is located in Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts, not surprising seeing how there’s constant news of huge amounts of marijuana always getting seized in our district.
Reports state that the police and officials of the Excise Department are working hand in hand with the ganja mafia and that a part of the seized ganja is always directed back into the market. Police records state that Visakhapatnam and East Godavari are the key locations for cultivation and even smuggling across the country. Between April – December last year, 17.64 crore worth of marijuana weighing 17,648 KG has been seized. 335 offenders were arrested with 175 cases registered by the Enforcement Wing of the State Excise Department under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
The New Indian Express reported that less than 20% of the ganja being seized is destroyed with no records of the remaining stock. It is hence suspected that the rest is being snuck back into the market. The state police are coming up with a plan to curb the cultivation and smuggling of ganja in Andhra Pradesh.
There is a meeting scheduled tomorrow in Rajamahendravaram to discuss strategies. The meeting that is being conducted by the state police department will see active participation from all investigative departments including the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Narcotics Control Bureau, State Excise and Enforcement, Government Railway Police and other departments dealing with drugs and narcotics. The objective of the meeting will be to improve coordination between various state and central level agencies to put an end to the sale of ganja in the state, especially in Visakhapatnam and East Godavari.
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