To tackle the menace of drug peddling in a big way in the state capital, a specialised and separate Anti-Narcotics Cell was inaugurated by Hyderabad City Police Commissioner A K Khan here today.
The Cell, which was created to prevent and investigate drug peddling cases occurrences in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, consists of three wings — technical, surveillance and investigation, Mr Khan said on the occasion.
In the recent past, the drug menace has reached Andhra Pradesh state and in the past 2-3 years, there appears to be increase in drug peddling in and around Hyderabad city, he said, adding the students of African countries were visiting Hyderabad on a student VISA and were indulging in drug (including cocaine) peddling by selling the same to youth, celebrities and elite sections of societies at various places like pubs, restaurants, hukka centres in and around star hotels in the state capital.
The police department had taken strong measures to tackle the drug menace and 19 of cases has been registered under NDPS Act over the past two years while 53 persons involved as accused, of which 43 have been arrested including 21 foreigners, the Commissioner added. UNI