Telangana Sees 47% Surge in Narcotics Cases, Overall Crime Rises 7% over the past 3 years | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: Telangana recorded a 47% surge in narcotics cases over the past three years, even as grave crimes fell, while overall crime rose 7%, according to the state’s half-yearly crime data reviewed by director general of police CV Anand.“The rise in narcotics cases has emerged as a major challenge for the police. Cases increased from 2,026 in 2023-24 to 2,960 in 2025-26,” the DGP said.Among commissionerates, Cyberabad recorded a sharp rise in narcotics cases, from 266 in 2023-24 to 508 in 2025-26 — an increase of 90%. Warangal recorded an even steeper 142% rise over the three years.Among the districts, Adilabad reported an increase from 57 to 219 cases, with its crime rate rising from 7.2% to 26.9%. Nizamabad recorded an increase from 62 to 123 cases. Narayanpet, Mahabubnagar and Jogulamba Gadwal also reported significant increases.Overall crime in Telangana rose from 2.6 lakh cases in 2023-24 to 2.8 lakh in 2025-26. However, officials said grave crimes such as murder, robbery and burglary declined, including in Hyderabad.“Grave crimes declined significantly compared to the previous year. The number of cases fell from 7,019 in 2024-25 to 6,294 in 2025-26, registering a 10.3% decline,” police said.Among the major commissionerates, Hyderabad recorded a decline from 1,483 to 1,094 cases, a reduction of 26.2%. Cases also declined in Cyberabad, from 656 to 613, and in Malkajgiri, from 664 to 549.Crime against women, however, increased by 3% compared with 2023-24. However, police pointed out that, except for Future City, the number of such cases declined in other commissioneratesDuring the review, officials also made presentations on AI-based policing applications, CCTNS, TG-COP, Hawkeye and other digital platforms. The implementation and progress of the New Criminal Laws (NCL), Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS), cybercrime initiatives and EAGLE, along with the functioning and workload of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), were also reviewed.