Chennai: Tamil Nadu DGP Sylendra Babu issued orders to police personnel across the state to conduct 'Operation Ganja 2.0' for a period of one month from March 28 to April 27 to curb the procurement and sale of the banned substance on Tuesday. The DGP also told the police to slap Goondas Act against habitual offenders involved in the menace.
In a circular, Sylendra Babu said, "The police should take immediate action to stop the sale of drugs including ganja and gutka near schools and colleges."
"Those involved in ganja and gutka sale should be immediately arrested and sent to prison. The habitual offenders who are involved in the menace should be booked under Goondas Act," he said.
Further, DGP said, action should be initiated against those involved in mass procurement and storing of ganja in order to stop the chain of crime.
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The police should also start a WhatsApp group with people residing near schools and colleges to provide tipoffs about sale of ganja, he said.
Lastly, he said, the students who are into the use of ganja and gutka should be sent for counseling.
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Earlier, the police department was involved in an operation to curb ganja menace from December 2021- January 2022.
In December 2021, as many as 324 people who were involved in the smuggling and selling of ganja were arrested during a crackdown. The police also filed 239 cases against the culprits.
Overall, the police seized 520 kg of ganja worth Rs 51.97 lakh.
The police also arrested 2,983 accused for stocking and selling banned pan masala products in December 2021.