Overview
- A government order dated August 8 formally approved Rs 264.14 crore to set up 65 dedicated ANTF field units—37 for districts and 28 across nine city commissionerates, with Chennai allotted 12 units.
- Each field unit will be staffed by one Inspector, four Sub‑Inspectors and 20 police personnel, supported statewide by 454 headquarters posts and 10 specialised wings under an ADGP‑led command.
- The sanction covers recurring and non‑recurring costs, funding 65 Inspectors, 260 Sub‑Inspectors, 1,300 police personnel and the purchase of 67 four‑wheelers and 325 two‑wheelers for mobility.
- ANTF mandates include intelligence collection, cyber surveillance, criminal case registration and targeted financial investigations to trace, seize and freeze assets of drug networks.
- The rollout pairs enforcement with demand‑reduction measures: the government has launched a Drug‑Free Tamil Nadu portal and app, run a CM‑led mass pledge and tasked health, education and youth departments with prevention and rehab work.