Big drug hauls in Punjab; nationally, seizures up 160% in a decade

Seizure of drugs by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) across all states have gone up by 160% between 2014 and December 2023 when compared to 2006-2013, according to home ministry data. NCB has registered 210% more drug-related cases during the same period. In Punjab, which goes to polls on June 1, drones have been recovered and drugs seized, making it among one of the top states as far as drug seizures are concerned.

Four districts of Punjab -- Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur and Fazilka -- which share the international (IB) border with Pakistan reported the highest number of drone sightings, leading to seizure of large quantities of narcotics, arms and IEDs, as per the Border Security Force (BSF).

Regarding the spurt in drugs seized, the home ministry said that a three-point strategy was adopted against drug menace and a high-level dedicated task force has been created in the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) to analyse drug smuggling through sea routes. Among the steps initiated are strengthening of institutional framework, coordination with NARCO agencies and starting mass awareness campaign.


The total value of drugs seized during the same period (2014-2023 Dec) was ₹22,000 cr as compared to ₹768 crore in 2006-13. "The use of dark net and crypto currency in illegal drugs trade is increasing. From 2020-2022, the NCB investigated 59 such cases. To control this, the need for an information system was emphasised and instructions were given to develop it as SUBMAC. Although the MAC portal is for issues related to counterterrorism, inputs of dark net and crypto currencies are being shared on the MAC subgroup in drug cases," explained a senior official.

BETTER NETWORKING

The home ministry had, in 2019, strengthened the narcotics coordination (NCORD) mechanism between the Central and state drug law enforcement agencies. There is an apex-level NCORD Committee, headed by the Union Home Secretary, an executive-level committee, headed by the special secretary (IS), MHA, and state-level NCORD committees, headed by the respective chief secretaries and district-level committees headed by the district magistrate.

Since 2019, six apex-level, five executive-level, 135 state narcotics coordination committees and 3,714 district NCORD committee meetings have been held so far, according to the home ministry.

The Cabinet Committee of Security last year approved a revised proposal of ₹411.59 cr for the improvement of infrastructure facility of NCB following which the MHA has accorded administrative approval and expenditure sanction of ₹65.6 cr for projects in Bengaluru, Indore, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati. Among them, the construction work of the projects in Indore and Bhubaneswar is under progress, according to officials.

PLUGGING SEA ROUTE SMUGGLING

To plug smuggling of narcotics using sea routes, representatives from the Ministry of Port Shipping & Waterways, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Coastal Police, Port Trust of Coastal States, and State Maritime Board and Port Authorities have been made members of the NCORD mechanism at different levels. The authorities are carrying out scanning of suspected containers. The home ministry has also set up an inter-ministerial committee to study the best practices evolved by the other countries on transnational drug trafficking through maritime routes.

"The ministry of shipping was asked to take necessary steps while directing the management of container scanners and related equipment," said a senior government official. On financial investigation and trials, officials said financial documents are analysed individually and in appropriate cases financial investigations are conducted and assets created out of the drug money are seized. Hawala transactions are also worked out to trace money laundering channels linked to drug trafficking. Relevant information is also shared with FIU-IND, ED and other Intelligence agencies for their analysis.

"In 2022, NCB conducted financial investigations in 27 such cases in which property worth approximately ₹16 crore was frozen," they added. For prevention of illegal drug cultivation, the MHA has constituted a study group to analyse the use of drones in mapping and destruction of illicit crops under cultivation in remote areas and sought suggestions on alternative livelihood arrangements for farmers engaged in cultivation of illegal narcotic crops have been issued to all the affected states. NCB is also sharing satellite imagery with the affected states for identification and destruction of illegal cultivation," according to home ministry officials.