Police Use Drones to Detect and Destroy 5 Acres of Cannabis Cultivation

Visakhapatnam: The Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district police have identified and destroyed 3.55 acres of cannabis plantations across 20 locations in Degalarai village under Solabham panchayat of G Madugula mandal, using drone technology.

The police reported that 19 individuals have been identified for their involvement in cultivating cannabis and a case has been registered against them.

The targeted plantations are 1.2 acres of patta land, cultivated by four individuals, 0.05 acres of government land where an individual was involved, 1.95 acres of land that does not fall under any survey No., involving nine individuals and 0.35 acres of forest land cultivated by five individuals.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Amit Bardar has highlighted the challenges posed by the hilly terrain of Degalarayi, which allows cultivators to conceal their operations within dense foliage. “Initial drone investigations have revealed small clusters of ganja plants spread across approximately 3.55 acres,” he said.

The operation’s scale was underestimated initially, with local informers suggesting presence of only around 10 plants, before the drones uncovered the full extent of the cultivation.

The ASR district police have made notable progress after the launch of their anti-drug initiative on June 12, registering 141 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and seizing over 11,618 kg of dry ganja along with 3.05 kg of hash oil. These efforts have resulted in 563 individuals being booked and 390 arrests made, alongside the issuance of 61 suspect sheets aimed at habitual offenders.

The SP mentioned that tribal communities in Degalarayi have received support for growing alternative crops such as silver oak, coffee and sweet lime, fostering sustainable agricultural practices.