Telangana Police’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse have received national recognition, with the state’s Narcotics Bureau and EAGLE Force securing more than 80% marks in an assessment conducted for Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTFs).
EAGLE Force Director Sandeep Shandilya received the national-level award on behalf of Telangana Police from Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the third National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force Heads held in New Delhi on September 22, 2026. The conference was organised under the aegis of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
The Union Government assessed the performance of state Anti-Narcotics Task Forces across seven key parameters. These included intelligence operations, control of precursor chemicals and synthetic drugs, prosecution, demand reduction and harm reduction, coordination and capacity building, research and analysis, and administration and logistics.
Telangana secured more than 80% in the assessment, resulting in national recognition for its anti-narcotics efforts.The assessment covered not only enforcement activities but also areas such as investigation, prosecution support, coordination between agencies and measures aimed at addressing the wider impact of substance abuse.
The award was presented during the third National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force Heads in New Delhi. Senior officials from across the country participated in the conference, where strategies to combat drug trafficking, improve inter-state coordination and strengthen the national narcotics-control framework were discussed.
Sandeep Shandilya accepted the recognition on behalf of Telangana Police. Telangana DGP C.V. Anand congratulated the EAGLE Force director and personnel for their contribution to the state’s performance in the national assessment.
According to reports, Telangana has introduced dedicated support mechanisms to strengthen the prosecution of narcotics-related cases. These include support for legal scrutiny, judicial analysis, witness protection and prosecution-related activities.The police leadership has also emphasised intelligence gathering, investigation of narcotics cases, identifying drug networks and strengthening prosecution. District police units have been directed to coordinate with the EAGLE Force in efforts to address drug trafficking and substance abuse.
The recognition comes as Telangana Police continues to focus on coordinated action against narcotics networks. Officials have highlighted the importance of sustained enforcement as well as preventive measures, particularly in relation to young people.The national assessment also places emphasis on coordination and capacity building, indicating that anti-narcotics enforcement involves multiple departments and agencies rather than police action alone.
The EAGLE Force and district police units are expected to continue focusing on intelligence-based investigations, action against drug networks and effective prosecution of narcotics cases.
DGP C.V. Anand has said that the police department will continue strengthening its anti-narcotics and preventive mechanisms. Reports also indicate that Telangana Police is working on improving performance in other areas, including implementation of new criminal laws, the Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS) and the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS).
The national recognition for the EAGLE Force highlights Telangana’s performance in the specific anti-narcotics assessment conducted for state ANTFs. The award also puts attention on the need for continued inter-agency coordination, investigation and prosecution in tackling drug trafficking and substance abuse.