EAGLE police raid shops near schools in Vijayawada, Vissannapet; seven shop owners booked

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Cigarettes and other tobacco products cannot be sold within 100 yards of an educational institution or to anyone under 18 under the COTPA. | Photo used for representational purposes only. | Photo Credit: syed fahad hussain shah

The Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) police conducted raids on shops located near educational institutions in Vijayawada and Vissannapet in NTR district on Thursday (November 12, 2026).

“Raids were conducted under ‘Operation Safe Campus Zone’ to check the sale of cigarettes, gutka and other drugs near schools and colleges,” EAGLE Inspector M. Ravindra said.

Cases have been registered against seven shop owners for violating the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, Reserve Inspector D. Nagarjuna, who participated in the operation, said.

The COTPA prohibits the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to anyone under 18 years of age and within 100 yards of any educational institution.

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