EAGLE officers seized tobacco products and cigarettes from shops near educational institutions on Wednesday as part of ‘Operation Safe Compus Zone’ in Vijayawada.
The Elite Anti-Narcotics Enforcement Team (EAGLE) on Wednesday (April 1) raided several shops near educational institutions in the Patamata area of Vijayawada for alleged sale of tobacco products in violation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA-2003).
A team led by EAGLE Circle Inspector M. Ravindra searched the shops and seized gutka, cigarettes and other tobacco products from the shops.
“According to COTPA-2003, cigarettes, gutka, tobacco ganja and other products should not be sold within 100 yards of schools, colleges and other (educational) institutions,” Mr. Ravindra said. Shop owners were served notices and fined, Patamata SI M. Sitaram said.
Managements of educational institutions should also put up COTPA and ‘no smoking’ signboards, the circle inspector said. Mr. Ravindra warned that strict action would be taken against those violating the law.
Published – 01 Apr 2026 19:41 IST
