• Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to eliminating drug trafficking and achieving a ‘Nasha-Mukt Bharat’ (Drug-Free India). 

• He emphasized the zero-tolerance policy of the Modi government against drug traffickers and highlighted the latest convictions secured under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

• The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has been instrumental in tracking, investigating, and convicting drug traffickers, with 29 individuals sentenced in 12 major drug cases across multiple cities. 

• These cases involved large-scale seizures of narcotics such as charas, ganja, opium, and heroin, and the accused were handed severe punishments, ranging from three years to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment along with heavy fines.

• With major drug busts, strict enforcement of the NDPS Act, and a strategic plan to combat drug networks, the government is actively working toward a ‘Nasha-Mukt Bharat’ by 2047.

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)

• The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is the national nodal agency created under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 for preventing and combating drugs abuse and illicit trafficking in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. 

• It was established in March 1986.

• NCB is responsible for coordination with various ministries, other offices and state/central enforcement agencies. 

• It is also responsible for implementation of the international obligations under various United Nation Conventions of 1961, 1971 & 1988 (to which India is signatory) against illicit trafficking of Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

• NCB with its headquarters at New Delhi has seven Regional Deputy Director General offices — Northern Region  (Delhi), South Western Region (Mumbai), Eastern Region (Kolkata), North Western Region (Amritsar), Western Region (Ahmedabad), Southern Region (Chennai), North Eastern Region (Guwahati), and 30 zonal units.

Government’s Strategy Against Drug Trafficking

1) Bottom-to-Top & Top-to-Bottom Investigation Approach

• The government has implemented a foolproof investigation strategy, ensuring that all levels of the drug supply chain — from street peddlers to major traffickers — are systematically targeted.

• The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has been actively cracking down on drug syndicates, leading to multiple high-profile arrests and convictions.

2) Strengthening Legal Framework & Enforcement

• Under the NDPS Act, the government has imposed strict penalties, ensuring that convicted traffickers receive long-term sentences.

• Increased coordination between law enforcement agencies, intelligence units, and forensic teams has improved conviction rates.

Additional Read:

Drug trafficking in India

In recent years, India has witnessed a marked increase in the availability and use of a wide range of narcotic substances. This includes traditional drugs like cocaine, heroin, cannabis and opium, as well as synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), and some of the New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) that have emerged on the global stage.  India’s fight against narcotic substances is complex and multifaceted, involving enforcement actions coupled with advanced detection technologies, international cooperation and robust legal frameworks. 

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)