New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday urged all states to work in close collaboration with the central government to combat the growing drug menace, pledging that no narcotics will either enter or be smuggled out of India. His call for unity came during a regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security’ held in New Delhi, where the issue of drug trafficking and its impact on national security was discussed with a special focus on eight states and Union Territories in northern India, including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Shah emphasized that the conference aimed to take stock of the current situation surrounding drug trafficking in the region and its national security implications. “For the last two years, we have been reviewing our fight against drugs at these regional conferences, discussing strategies, and formulating new approaches,” Shah said, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the central and state agencies in addressing the issue.
According to Shah, in 2024, the police and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) successfully seized drugs worth an unprecedented Rs 16,914 crores, marking the highest value of drugs seized in India’s history. “This is the biggest figure since independence,” Shah remarked, underscoring the nation’s growing success in combating the drug trade.
The Home Minister also lauded the progress made in the fight against drug trafficking under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting the significant increase in drug seizures in the past decade. From 2004 to 2014, about 3.63 lakh kilograms of drugs were seized, while the figure surged to 24 lakh kilograms from 2014 to 2024—a seven-fold increase. Additionally, the value of drugs disposed of has escalated from Rs 8,150 crore between 2004 and 2014 to Rs 56,851 crore over the past decade, marking an eight-fold rise.
Shah described this as a major achievement and attributed the success to the collective efforts of the public, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary. “Our efforts are being met with positive responses from the public, the courts, and the entire system,” he said.
The regional conference, which was attended by Governors, Lieutenant Governors, Chief Ministers, and senior officers from the eight states and Union Territories, also saw the virtual participation of dignitaries from other states. Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, along with senior officials from various ministries and law enforcement agencies, participated in the discussions.
Shah also launched the Drug Disposal Fortnight, which runs from January 11 to January 25, during which a total of 44,792 kilograms of seized narcotics, valued at Rs 2,411 crore, will be disposed of. He also inaugurated the new office complex of the NCB’s Bhopal zonal unit and extended the MANAS-2 helpline to all 36 states and Union Territories.
The conference focused on enhancing the effectiveness of anti-drug efforts, including sharing real-time information through the National Narcotics Helpline (MANAS) portal, evaluating the progress of states in combating drug trafficking, and strengthening forensic science laboratories in states. Additionally, efforts to establish special NDPS courts for speedy trials of drug-related cases were discussed, along with fostering a whole-of-government approach for comprehensive collaboration among all agencies.
Shah also outlined the Ministry of Home Affairs’ three-pronged strategy to achieve a drug-free India by 2047, which includes strengthening institutional frameworks, enhancing coordination among narcotics agencies, and launching a nationwide public awareness campaign.