Narcotics Control Bureau, RRU ink MoU to combat drug crimes

• The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking. 

• The agreement is designed to foster a strategic partnership focused on combating narcotics crimes, particularly those enabled by technology.

• Key areas of cooperation include joint research into darknet narcotics markets, cryptocurrency tracing, and cyber-threat intelligence. 

• The partnership will involve developing specialised training programs for NCB officers.

Rashtriya Raksha University

• The Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) has been established as an Institution of National Importance under Rashtriya Raksha University Act, 2020.

• It officially commenced its operations from October 1, 2020.

• The university campus is spread across 230 acres in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

• Its primary objective is to offer an academic-research-training ecosystem for researchers, police personnel, national security professionals, and Armed Forces personnel. 

• It has special focus on contemporary and emerging security challenges from multidisciplinary perspectives.

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 drug 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 (NDPS).

• 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.

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