Special ‘Narcotic Teams’ to curb drug menace in Hyderabad

Function of these teams would be similar to Special Operations Team (SOT) and Task Force (TF) which are active under Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda police commissionerates

Hyderabad: The Prohibition and Excise Department officials are planning to introduce exclusive Special Narcotic Teams to curb flow of psychotropic drug substances into Hyderabad and its smuggling across the city.

The function of these teams would be similar to the Special Operations Team (SOT) and Task Force (TF) which are already active under three police commissionerates – Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda. These special narcotic teams will focus exclusively on curbing smuggling of marijuana and other drugs.

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According to sources in the Excise Department, each team will consist of a total of 15- 20 personnel including an inspector and two sub-inspectors, head constables and constables, under the direct supervision of a DSP-level officer.

Steps are already being taken to introduce the specialised teams this year and necessary training is being provided to them by the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB). The active, skilled and efficient officers from the District and State Task Force Teams of the Excise Department are roped in for the job.

At present, there are State Task Force teams and District Task Force teams operating across the State. However, due to the increased usage and smuggling of drugs in the GHMC area, a need was felt for a special team to be formed to eradicate drug menace from its roots. This prompted the idea of forming sophisticated teams to be formed.

As a routine, the State Task Force teams are busy cracking and raided on illegal liquor, adulterated liquor and narcotics. Though the teams which consist of officials from the Excise department and police are putting in efforts to control drug menace, there is high pressure on them.

Excise Department officials said such a special team was necessary to achieve the goal of drug-free Hyderabad and drug-free Telangana.