Hyderabad: Hyderabad City Police conducted a massive cordon-and-search operation, ‘Operation Thunderbolt’, at eight locations across seven zones of the city on Thursday, November 12, to identify anti-social elements, curb drug abuse and check criminal activities.

More than 1,000 police personnel, including officers, men and women personnel, Crime teams, Central Crime Station (CCS), Task Force and Law and Order staff, participated in the operation in the Golconda Zone alone.

Additional Commissioner of Police M Srinivas said more than 60 people were identified during on-the-spot screening for suspected consumption of ganja and other psychotropic substances. Police used drug-testing kits to screen individuals, and further tests were underway.

He said police also intercepted several vehicles without number plates and those lacking proper documents. Some vehicles were suspected to be stolen, and their ownership details were being verified. Random vehicle checks were also conducted as part of the drive.

Srinivas said the operation was aimed at identifying habitual offenders and criminals involved in street-level offences, as well as groups creating disturbances near hotels and other public places. The police had databases of known offenders and were conducting surprise checks to identify and apprehend them.