The Elite Anti-Narcotics Group of Law Enforcement (EAGLE) and the police on Saturday (March 7, 2026) conducted a cordoned search dubbed ‘Operation Vajra Prahar’ at around 100 locations in the state.
Police seized a country pistol and five cartridges, nine kilograms of ganja in a special train from Rameswaram in Gudur, 100 grams of cannabis in Bapatla and Chittoor districts and 10 kilograms of contraband in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, EAGLE chief and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ake Ravi Krishna said.
On the directions of DGP Harish Kumar Gupta, raids to fight the drug menace and to check crimes were conducted across the state involving Superintendents of Police, ASPs, DSPs and other officers.
About 5,000 policemen participated in “Operation Vajra Prahar” in the state. We are taking measures to increase the vigilance of drug dealers and consumers,” Ravi Krishna told The Hindu.
“We searched the houses of the suspects, including those involved in NDPS Act cases, and seized illegally stored liquor, pass liquor and jaggery wash during the raids,” added Mr. Ravi Krishna.
Meanwhile, police revealed that the person who opened fire on EAGLE and police teams in Vijayawada has been identified as Murali Patil from Warangal in Telangana state. “The accused was earlier involved in several cases under the NDPS Act. We are investigating the case,” NTR commissioner DCP Krishnakanth Patel said.
Published – 07 March 2026 20:30 IST
