The Hyderabad city police officials have announced plans to train more canines specifically to detect narcotics. They stated that routine searches for narcotics in pubs and similar establishments will be conducted.
On Sunday night, officials from the Hyderabad and Cyberabad police carried out searches on several pubs using K9 squad sniffer dogs for the first time. The Hyderabad police checked bars and pubs on the Jubilee Hills stretch, while the Cyberabad police searched three pubs in their commissionerate. However, no drug-related violations were reported in any of the establishments.
Hyderabad Commissioner K. Sreenivasa Reddy mentioned that two canines will be specially trained to detect narcotics. He explained, “Sniffer dogs are trained to focus on explosives as well as drugs, but have not been used specifically for narcotics detection. Although we are enhancing their training, new canines will also be trained exclusively for narcotics detection”.
Cyberabad Commissioner Avinash Mohanty reported that one of the establishments had allowed underage minors, and e-cigarettes were seized from another place. He stated, “This will become a regular practice as part of our efforts to combat drug-related issues”.
City police officials explained that the canines receive training at the Integrated Intelligence Training Academy (IITA) in Moinabad. They are trained for detecting explosives, narcotics, alcohol, and tracking criminals. The process includes grooming, hygiene focus, and familiarizing them with their assigned handler. After basic training, they are trained to obey commands and undergo mock drills for practical experience in detection. The canines are then handed over to the Police department when they are 14 months old.
Additionally, the director of Telangana State Anti-Narcotics Bureau, Sandeep Shandilya, presented a plan to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to combat the drug menace in the State. The plan includes the formation of Anti-Drug Committees (ADCs), obtaining portable drug detection kits, rewards for enforcement personnel, and increased surveillance in various sectors such as educational institutions, movie and IT industries, bars, pubs, resorts, and rave parties.