ZERO TOLERANCE FOR DRUG TRAFFICKERS

In view of the increasing challenges of illegal narcotics trade and drug abuse, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in coordination with concerned State and Union Territory Police, continues to undertake intelligence-led operations and preventive measures to protect youth from the menace of drugs. Various stringent actions taken under a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to deter drug traffickers are as under: -

(i) To address the challenge of illicit drug trafficking & abuse of drugs, Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026-2029) has been released on 26.06.2026, which lays down a 3-year road map with clear priorities and time bound targets to be achieved by various stakeholders to control drugs with 'Whole-of-Government' & 'Whole-of-Society' approach.

(ii) NCB, Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs) and State Police are actively engaged in enforcement activity under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. These concerted efforts have resulted in significant achievements in term of drug seizures, registration of cases, arrests, disposal of seized drugs, destruction of illicit cultivation, financial investigations and preventive detention under Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, 1988.

(iii) Established a 4-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism for ensuring better coordination between Central & State Drug Law Enforcement Agencies and other stake holders in the field of controlling drug trafficking and drug abuse in India.

(iv) An NCORD portal has been developed by NCB. It is an all in one portal for information related to drug law enforcement. Topics like NCORD, Training & Capacity Building, Narco-offenders data, legal information, exemplary initiatives taken by states etc are covered on the NCORD portal.

(v) To monitor the investigation of significant and important drug cases including cases of narco-terrorism, a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) with DG, NCB as its Chairman has been set up. So far, 11 JCC meetings at the Central level and 75 JCC meetings at the State level have been conducted.

(vi) All Director General of Police (DGPs) of States/UTs have been requested for sensitization of beat constables, field officers and SHOs regarding Red Flag Indicators (RFI) and emerging threats relating to clandestine manufacturing of synthetic drugs, particularly Mephedrone and Amphetamine-type Stimulants (ATS).

(vii) NCB has been regularly coordinating with other agencies like Excise, Border Security Force (BSF), State ANTF etc. to conduct joint operations to control the drug trafficking.

(viii) Financial investigations and effective implementation of the PITNDPS is being regularly emphasized at forums viz. NCORD, JCC, Regional Conference for dismantling and weakening of organized synthetic drug trafficking networks.

(ix) Comprehensive guideline on financial investigation, facilitating systematic identification, tracing and attachment of proceeds of crime have been issued.

(x) For the capacity building of Drug Law Enforcement Officers and Agencies, NCB organizes workshops/ seminars/ training programmes. NCB is regularly conducting specialised training programmes on investigation of clandestine laboratories and precursor chemical diversion in collaboration with the United States-Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA), with participation of officers from Central Agencies and State DLEAs.

(xi) India holds regular Director General (DG) Level/Bilateral talks on drug related matters with countries such as Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore, United States of America (USA).

(xii) NCB has strengthened international cooperation in drug control through bilateral agreements with 27 countries and Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with 19 countries.

(xiii) A National Narcotics Helpline "मादक-पदार्थ निषेध आसूचना केंद्र" (MANAS) was launched as a 24x7, toll-free National Narcotics Call Centre. MANAS has been envisioned as an integrated system providing a single platform for citizens to log, register and resolve drug related issues/problems through various mode of communications like call (1933), e-mail, web portal & UMANG mobile app.

(xiv) Launched "Mission Drug Free Campus" in various educational institutions, universities all over India, in which special focus is being given to the youth and they are being sensitized about the importance of drug free campuses.

As domain specific initiatives, Government through NCB has adopted an intelligence-led and technology driven approach to identify and dismantle drug trafficking networks operating through online platforms, encrypted communication applications and the Darknet. The steps taken in this regard are as under:

1. Strengthened capabilities to counter technology enabled drug trafficking by engaging cyber experts to investigate darknet enabled drug trafficking and cryptocurrency-based transactions.
2. To enhance the technical expertise of enforcement personnel, NCB, in collaboration with the US-DEA and Rashtriya Raksha University

(RRU), Gandhinagar, has conducted several capacity building programmes for officers of NCB and other Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs) on cyber enabled narcotics investigations, digital forensics, darknet monitoring, cryptocurrency investigations and other emerging technologies used in drug trafficking.

Furthermore, the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026-2029) has been released on 26.06.2026 envisages the establishment of dedicated Darknet and Cryptocurrency Cells in all Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTFs), adoption of advanced technologies and AI-enabled analytics, research, capacity building of agencies and enhanced inter-agency coordination to dismantle organized cyber enabled drug trafficking networks.

The administration of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 lies with the Department of Revenue. The Government undertakes periodic reviews of the provisions of the NDPS Act, taking into account judicial pronouncements, implementation experience, and gaps identified by enforcement agencies and stakeholders. Based on such reviews and keeping in view emerging challenges, amendments to the Act are proposed wherever considered necessary. This forms part of the Government's continuous legislative review process to ensure that the statutory framework remains effective, contemporary and responsive to evolving requirements.

The Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026-2029) inter-alia has focused on creating Drug Free Campus (+500 meter) around educational institutions. Further, consent-based screening Test for students as part of student wellness programme is also proposed in the Vision Document at Centrally Funded Higher Educational Institutions. The initiative forms part of the three-year, time bound roadmap under the Vision Document, which also promotes Drug Free Campuses, preventive education, awareness programmes, counselling and community participation to create a safe and drug-free environment in educational institutions.

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

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RK/RR/PS/SC