Drone surveillance, spot drug tests intensified in Hyderabad hostels crackdown
HYDERABAD: The Malkajgiri Police Commissionerate has intensified its anti-drug enforcement in Hyderabad’s major student zones, introducing drone surveillance, on-the-spot drug testing and stricter monitoring of hostels in Dilsukhnagar and LB Nagar.
Addressing the media on Friday, Malkajgiri Commissioner of Police Sumathi said the police were adopting technology-driven policing to prevent youth from falling into drug abuse and to dismantle narcotics networks operating around educational institutions and hostels.
Drone surveillance and instant drug testing
Police said drones would be deployed during late-night hours to monitor student movement and suspicious activity in vulnerable areas. Officials will identify gathering points and possible drug-related hotspots through aerial surveillance.
Night patrolling teams have also been equipped with special drug detection kits to conduct instant tests on suspicious individuals during patrols.
The Commissioner said more than 70% of the 3,200 CCTV cameras installed across the commissionerate limits were active and connected to the command-and-control network for real-time monitoring.
Police said technology was being used to remain “one step ahead” of offenders.
Hostel audit completed in Saroornagar limits
Police conducted a special audit of hostels under the Saroornagar division and issued directions to hostel operators to install high-resolution CCTV cameras and monitor student behaviour closely.
Authorities asked managements to immediately alert parents if behavioural changes were noticed among students.
The Commissioner warned that hostels found facilitating anti-social activities or drug abuse would face stringent action, including sealing of premises.
Police also said pan shops suspected of selling banned substances were under surveillance. Officials warned that those involved in narcotics distribution would face action under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and preventive detention laws.
The Commissioner appealed to residents and pedestrians to cooperate with the police by reporting suspicious activity.
‘One NDPS case can destroy a career’
Delivering a message to students and youth, Sumathi said drug abuse could permanently damage careers and futures.
She said Telangana was one of the country’s youngest states and urged people aged between 15 and 30 years to focus on education and personal growth instead of “momentary pleasure through drugs”.
She cautioned that even a single NDPS case could affect eligibility for government jobs and restrict foreign travel opportunities.
The Commissioner also recalled challenges faced during her tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Secunderabad, where illegal lodges had allegedly become centres for drug peddling and consumption.
Police said stronger surveillance systems had now been established across the commissionerate to prevent such networks from resurfacing.
Officials added that apart from legal action, the department was also focusing on counselling and rehabilitation to help affected youth return to mainstream life.
