Surat: In a remarkable breakthrough showcasing the future of law enforcement, the Dahod district police unit—located in what is often described as Gujarat’s most remote and tribal region—has successfully leveraged AI-powered drone surveillance to detect and destroy concealed narcotic plantations. The operation resulted in seizures valued at nearly Rs 1.9 crore, marking a historic first for India.
This is the first-ever instance in the country where AI-integrated drones have been deployed to uncover drug cultivation—an achievement even major technology-driven metro cities have not yet matched.
Until recently, identifying drug cultivation hidden deep within forests and hill regions posed major challenges. Conventional drone cameras provided images that were often inconclusive, with cannabis plants appearing similar to okra, toor, or even saptaparni from the sky.
To overcome this, the Dahod police developed and refined a system that uses Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms to distinguish cannabis from other vegetation. Using free yet reliable online platforms (similar to plant-species recognition tools used by botanists), police teams created bespoke software to scan drone images.
When drones fly over farmlands or jungle patches, the AI system highlights suspected cannabis plantations in yellow, filtering out other foliage. After a year of fine-tuning, the system now operates with 80% accuracy. Since its deployment in 2024, it has successfully identified eight hidden marijuana plantations.
Superintendent of Police Rajdeepsinh Zala credited his team’s persistence:
“Earlier, officers had to physically approach suspicious fields, often risking exposure. AI has changed everything.”
Local Tribal Youth at the Forefront of High-Tech Policing
A striking dimension of this achievement is who is operating the technology. Many of the constables running drone systems come from local tribal families—now trained, empowered, and deployed in cutting-edge policing.
Their success, officers say, symbolizes a transformation where “the world’s best technology is now being used by the sons of our soil.”
Harsh Sanghavi Hails Dahod’s Innovation
Reacting to the development, Gujarat’s Home and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi praised the Dahod police for proving that technology-led policing is not limited to major cities.
In his recent address on modern policing, Sanghavi said:
“Gujarat is building a model where technology becomes the backbone of safety. Even our remotest districts are showing India how artificial intelligence can protect society. Dahod’s achievement demonstrates that when innovation meets dedication, policing becomes smarter, faster, and more just.”
He reaffirmed that the state is committed to AI-enabled policing, drones for surveillance, and skill-building for police personnel across districts.
A Boost to India’s AI Mission
This ground-level innovation aligns with India’s broader push for an inclusive, responsible, and innovation-led AI ecosystem. As part of these efforts, the IndiaAI Mission under MeitY, in partnership with the Government of Gujarat and IIT Gandhinagar, is hosting a Regional Pre-Summit Event on December 11, 2025, at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar.
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