DGP holds meeting to combat drug trafficking

Director-General of Police (DGP) Shankar Jiwal on Friday held a meeting with State police officers and Central drug law enforcement agencies to discuss strategies to intensify the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.

The session aimed at improving effective and continued cooperation, surveillance and coordination, addressing underlying issues and emerging challenges in narcotics control.

Discussions focused on real-time intelligence exchange, joint operations, legal frameworks, and capacity-building initiatives.

A release from the office of the DGP said a large quantity of ganja that were seized in bulk in 2023 and 2024 were meant to be smuggled to Sri Lanka. Tamil Nadu’s long coastline with numerous fishing villages provided multiple entry and exit points for smugglers. Moreover, the illicit drug market in Sri Lanka had a consistent demand for cannabis, which was met by smuggling from south India. A tight surveillance was mounted and law was being strictly enforced, the release said.

Mr. Jiwal expressed concerns over smuggling of narcotics that contributed to drug abuse, and related criminal activities that affected physical activities of people in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu.

He said that the Tamil Nadu police had been making efforts to curtail the illicit drug trafficking and abuse in the State by stricter law enforcement, and increasing awareness among the public.