Kolkata: The Bengal govt has set up four specialised police stations to investigate narcotics cases as part of a drive to dismantle drug syndicates operating across the state, other states and the border.The stations, under the newly formed Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), will come up in Durgapur, Malda, Kharagpur and Krishnanagar and are expected to become operational this month. The govt has created nearly 500 posts to staff the units.The ANTF, formed last month, will take over investigations into major drug seizures across the state. It will operate through three zones — North, West and South — headed by SP-rank officers under an ADG-rank officer.The four stations will have defined territorial jurisdictions. They will also assist local police, conduct training on narcotics law and facilitate rehabilitation programmes.The govt also plans to establish 14 special narcotics courts to expedite trials and improve conviction rates.
