EAGLE Force convenes high-level meet to crack down on synthetic drug manufacturing in Telangana

In a bid to curb illicit manufacture of synthetic and designer drugs, the Telangana Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) Force convened a high-level coordination meeting in Hyderabad on February 12, outlining a zero-tolerance strategy and warning of stringent action against violators.

The meeting, chaired by EAGLE Director Sandeep Shandilya, was attended by Director General of the Drugs Control Administration and Director of Prohibition and Excise Shahnawaz Qasim; Chief Environmental Engineer of the Telangana Pollution Control Board B. Raghu; Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories K. Srinivasa Rao and other senior officers.

Officials discussed the growing threat posed by clandestine manufacturing of synthetic and new designer drugs and emphasised the need for seamless inter-departmental coordination. The departments represented at the meeting hold statutory authority to regulate chemical units, laboratories and research and development centres through licensing and compliance mechanisms under their respective laws.

The Drugs Control Administration oversees pharmaceutical manufacturing under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act to ensure licensed premises are not misused. The Prohibition and Excise Department enforces provisions of the NDPS Act and detects illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals. The Department of Factories regulates industrial infrastructure and safety under the Factories Act, while the Telangana Pollution Control Board grants consents for establishment and operation of industrial units and monitors emissions, effluents and hazardous waste disposal.

As part of the strategic action plan, the agencies agreed to integrate data relating to chemical units, laboratories and research facilities across the State to strengthen surveillance and identify suspicious activities. A Joint Intelligence Sharing Group comprising nodal officers from all participating departments will be constituted to enable real-time exchange of information and coordinated enforcement.

High-risk sectors and vulnerable industrial segments have been identified for joint inspections. These inspections will be supported by the deployment of hand-held Raman spectrophotometer devices for on-the-spot screening of suspicious substances to enhance early detection of illegal synthetic drug production.

Officials also flagged the illegal renting or leasing of chemical reactors and manufacturing infrastructure to unauthorised individuals as a serious concern, stating that strict action would be initiated against units found facilitating such activities. Intelligence-based and data-driven surprise inspections of chemical units and laboratories will be carried out by joint teams.