Maharashtra State’s New Anti-Narcotics Task Force Begins Operations from CID HQ in Pune
Pune, 19th July 2025: A newly formed Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has begun functioning from the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Pashan, Pune, marking a significant step in Maharashtra’s fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
The ANTF has been established under a central government initiative aimed at creating dedicated narcotics enforcement units across the country. In Maharashtra, the task force will function under the overall supervision of the CID and will specifically handle high-profile narcotics cases from Pune and Nagpur regions, including those being monitored by higher courts or requiring nationwide coordination.
Command Structure and Jurisdiction
The unit is led by an officer of Special Inspector General of Police rank and currently operates out of the state CID premises. According to officials, Mumbai falls outside the ANTF’s jurisdiction, as the city has separate mechanisms in place for handling narcotics cases.
In February 2025, the state government sanctioned 346 posts for the ANTF. While some operations have already begun, the task force is expected to become fully functional within a month once personnel appointments are finalized.
Why Pune?
Explaining the choice of Pune as the headquarters, Additional Director General of Police (CID) Sunil Ramanand said,
“The city already hosts the headquarters of multiple critical police units such as the state CID, state wireless, and the state prisons department, making it a strategic location for a centralized anti-narcotics unit.”
Broader Mandate and Regional Structure
The ANTF has been designed to go beyond traditional enforcement. It will:
- Investigate and prosecute narcotics cases
- Create intelligence dossiers on drug traffickers and syndicates
- Act as the Narco-Coordination Centre for Maharashtra
- Coordinate with central and state enforcement agencies
- Promote de-addiction, rehabilitation, and public awareness
“The objective is not just to crack down on drugs but also to reform users, prevent drug abuse through awareness campaigns, and build a sustainable response to the narcotics challenge,” said Ramanand.
The ANTF will be split into two regional divisions:
- Pune Division: Will cover cases from Kolhapur range, Konkan range, Vasai–Mira–Bhayander, Thane commissionerate, and Nashik.
- Nagpur Division: Will focus on Marathwada (including Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Jalna, Beed, Parbhani, Nanded, and Hingoli) and Vidarbha (covering Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, Wardha, Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, Washim, and Yavatmal).
Each division will be headed by a Superintendent of Police (Operations).
The formation of the ANTF is expected to enhance Maharashtra’s capacity for intelligence-led drug law enforcement, and better coordination across agencies at both the state and national levels.
