HYDERABAD: Telangana's Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE Force) and police have frozen assets worth more than ₹100 crore linked to drug manufacturers and peddlers since 2024, as reported by TOI.
The agencies aim to hit the financial base of organised drug networks across the state.
The crackdown covers 18 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Investigators targeted properties, bank accounts, vehicles and businesses allegedly bought with drug trafficking proceeds.
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Freeze orders target drug-linked properties
Authorities issued the freeze orders under Section 68F(2) of the NDPS Act. The provision allows agencies to freeze illegally acquired property.
However, investigators must show that the assets came from the proceeds of crime.
EAGLE Force and Bodhan rural police secured the latest orders from competent authorities in Chennai and Mumbai on August 17 and 18.
The orders cover assets worth ₹5.1 crore. They belong to M Laxman Goud, M Laxmi, M Gangadhar Goud, M Raja Goud, Amar Singh Deshmukh, Baburao Baswaraj Kadere, Poonam Deshmukh and three others.
The case involves the manufacture and distribution of alprazolam. Police registered the case in May 2025.
The frozen assets include agricultural land, plots, bank balances, vehicles and a factory. The properties are located in Telangana and Maharashtra.
₹3 crore assets frozen in Gummadidala case
On February 20, authorities froze assets worth ₹3 crore belonging to 22 accused.
The list includes N Vishal Goud, E Sai Kumar Goud and K Ashok Kumar Goud.
The action relates to a case registered at Gummadidala police station in Sangareddy on December 31, 2024. Police seized 1.9 kg of alprazolam in the case.
Earlier, authorities had frozen assets worth more than ₹30 crore in the same case. The properties belonged to G Sudheer Goud, Bishweshwar Singh and eight others.
EAGLE Force took that action in July 2025.
Officials said the freeze prevents accused persons and their family members from using or transferring the alleged crime proceeds.
"Once the freeze order is issued, the accused cannot do any deals or transactions on the property. When the accused in these cases are convicted, forfeiture proceedings for the frozen properties will be initiated under Section 68(H) of the NDPS Act. This works as a deterrent against organised gangs," an EAGLE Force official said.
₹50.8 crore frozen across nine cases in 2024
EAGLE Force froze assets worth ₹50.8 crore across nine NDPS cases in 2024. In 2025, the agency froze another ₹41.47 crore across six cases. So far in 2026, authorities have frozen ₹8.15 crore in two cases.
Overall, the 18 cases involve alleged manufacture and peddling of commercial quantities of drugs. These drugs include alprazolam, ganja, fentanyl injections, heroin, morphine and nitrazepam.
Meanwhile, four more cases await property freeze orders from the competent authority in Chennai. An official said EAGLE Force will send proposals within a fortnight to freeze properties belonging to the accused and their relatives.