Visakhapatnam: The ASR district administration has intensified its crackdown on illegal cannabis cultivation, conducting surveys across 258 villages covering 9,200 acres. Drone surveillance has been deployed in 195 remote villages over 7,500 acres.
Since 12 June 2024, 43.45 acres of ganja plantations across 81 locations in 22 villages, including G. Madugula, Pedabayalu, Munchingput, and Koyyuru mandals, have been identified and destroyed. Authorities have introduced alternative livelihoods to reduce dependency on ganja farming, benefiting 10,224 farmers cultivating high-value crops like avocado, coffee, turmeric, and pepper over 10,817.8 acres.
Youth initiatives include industrial exposure for 110 tribal students, training for 683 candidates for SSC GD exams, and drug awareness campaigns reaching over 20,826 individuals.
The police have registered 172 NDPS Act cases, arresting 507 suspects and seizing 15,023.54 kg of ganja and 3.05 kg of hash oil. Efforts include tracking smugglers and repeat offenders, with 336 suspect sheets now active.
