Jammu, Feb 11: Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country witnessed a monumental crackdown on drug trafficking in 2024, with law enforcement agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), seizing narcotics worth ₹25,330 crore—an increase of over 55% from the ₹16,100 crore worth of drugs seized in 2023. This achievement underscores the success of the government’s ‘Bottom to Top’ and ‘Top to Bottom’ approach, guided by Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, in the fight against drugs.
The Modi government is advancing its Whole-of-Government Approach to eradicate the drug menace and create a drug-free India. In 2024, the focus on seizing harmful synthetic drugs, including cocaine and pharmaceutical drugs used as psychotropic substances, resulted in a significant rise in confiscations, reflecting the growing challenges posed by new and potent substances.
Key statistics show the surge in the seizure of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS), with Methamphetamine quantities more than doubling from 34 quintals in 2023 to 80 quintals in 2024. Cocaine seizures also soared from 292 kilograms in 2023 to 1,426 kilograms in 2024. Similarly, Mephedrone seizures rose from 688 kilograms in 2023 to 3,391 kilograms in 2024. Hashish confiscations increased from 34 quintals in 2023 to 61 quintals in 2024. The number of pharmaceutical drugs seized, increasingly abused as psychotropic substances, rose sharply from 1.84 crore tablets in 2023 to 4.69 crore tablets in 2024.
Significant Operations:
Feb 2024: NCB and Delhi Police dismantle international drug trafficking network, seize 50 kg of Pseudoephedrine.
Feb 2024 (Sagar Manthan-1): NCB, Navy, Gujarat Police seize 3,300 kg of drugs from foreign vessel, including Charas, Methamphetamine, and heroin.
Mar 2024: NCB arrests Jaffer Sadiq, leader of drug syndicate.
April 2024: NCB and Coast Guard seize 86 kg heroin worth ₹602 crore; 14 Pakistani nationals arrested.
Oct 2024: NCB raids factory, seizes 95 kg Methamphetamine and drug manufacturing equipment.
Nov 2024: NCB recovers 82.53 kg high-grade cocaine in Delhi NCR.
Nov 2024 (Sagar Manthan-4): NCB, Navy, Gujarat Police seize 700 kg Methamphetamine.
These operations mark a significant milestone in the government’s relentless fight against the drug trade, underscoring its commitment to making India a drug-free nation.