Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday chaired a regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security’ at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
Shah also launched the Drug Disposal Fortnight, inaugurated the new office complex of Bhopal Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and extension of MANAS-2 helpline to 28 states and 8 Union Territories (UTs).
Emphasizing that regional conferences play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s fight against the drugs menace, Shah highlighted that in 2024, the NCB and police forces had seized drugs valued at Rs.16,914 crores, which was the highest seizure of narcotics since independence.
Laying stress on the importance of introducing timely policies, ensuring enhanced intensity, meticulous micro-planning, and consistent monitoring, the minister underscored the need for achieving a drug-free India to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a fully developed India by 2047.
Shah urged the Centre and state governments, besides all relevant departments, to work collaboratively with dedication and commitment to eradicate this evil.
“We are determined to destroy the entire ecosystem of narco terror… We have made several changes in investigations, not only exposing drugs but also uncovering the terrorism networks associated with them. The local police of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, along with central agencies, have uncovered several cases of narco-terrorism,” he said.
“We need to work with even more speed and enthusiasm. The use of the dark web, crypto-currency, online marketplaces, and drones continues to pose a challenge for us. All agencies should strengthen their resolve for a drug-free India by stopping drug smuggling through the dark web, crypto-currency and drones,” he added.
He stressed on the importance of investigating drug cases using both ‘top-to-bottom’ and ‘bottom-to-top’ approaches. He highlighted that no narcotics case should be treated in isolation and investigations must continue until the entire network behind it is uncovered. Each case should be seen as an opportunity to dismantle a broader network, he stated.
Since 2019, the Modi government has changed its approach towards tackling the drugs menace, adopting a ruthless and strategic approach against purveyors of drugs and a human approach for victims, Shah said.
“We need to increase the use of PIT-NDPS (Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act) and cautiously expand the use of legal provisions for asset confiscation,” he added.
He urged states to take proactive steps to enhance the capacity of Forensic Labs (FSL) instead of relying solely on the Centre for support.
Shah also emphasized the critical role of financial agencies in tackling drugs, including seizing properties linked to illicit activities. He said no major case should be concluded without a thorough financial investigation.
Organised by the NCB, the focus of the conference was on tackling drug trafficking and its impact on national security. Its special focus was on eight states and UTs of northern India.
The Governor of Punjab, Gulab Chand Kataria, J&K Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha and chief ministers of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand joined the conference virtually.
Delhi’s Lt Governor, V.K. Saxena, Union Home Secretary, Govind Mohan, Director of Intelligence Bureau, Tapan Deka Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau, Anurag Garg, besides senior central government and government officials from the eight participating states and UTs, also attended the conference.