According to the NCRB, cannabis and opium derivatives continued to dominate India's drug seizure landscape in 2024, with enforcement agencies confiscating over 9.42 lakh kilograms of narcotic substances under the NDPS Act.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has conducted multiple intelligence-led operations across India, seizing over 845 kg of various contraband substances including ganja/cannabis, charas, amphetamine, and cocaine. These operations led to the arrest of 15 individuals involved in illicit drug trafficking, disrupting several supply chains.
Customs officials at Pune airport seized 1.265 kg of hydroponic weed, valued at Rs 44.27 lakh, from an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok. The passenger was arrested under the NDPS Act, and further investigation is underway to trace the drug supply chain.
Jammu Police recovered 804 grams of heroin and 1.1 kg of opium in the Arnia sector during an investigation into a suspected narcotics smuggling module. The probe revealed a drone-dropping incident and a cross-border nexus, with efforts underway to identify all involved in the network.
Mumbai Police conducted a two-day anti-narcotics operation, seizing drugs worth Rs 15.87 crore, arresting 21 absconding accused, and registering 72 cases. The drive, part of the 'Drug-Free Mumbai' and 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' campaigns, also saw the invocation of MCOCA against a drug syndicate and the demolition of illegal structures.
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officers seized over 9 kg of methamphetamine in Bhopal and arrested one person. The seizure occurred after intercepting a bus passenger travelling from Delhi to Bengaluru.
Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested four individuals linked to a cross-border drug-smuggling racket, recovering over 1 kg of narcotics, a pistol, and ammunition. The arrests followed an investigation into an alleged airdrop of drugs in Arnia sector, with the accused admitting links to Pakistan-based handlers. Additionally, nine other drug peddlers were arrested in separate operations across Reasi, Poonch, and Jammu districts as part of the 'Nasha Mukt Jammu-Kashmir' campaign.
Meghalaya Police arrested four individuals and confiscated 409.89 gm of suspected heroin, estimated to be worth Rs 1.5 crore, in the East Jaintia Hills district. The seizure occurred during a routine check when an ambulance travelling from Silchar to Guwahati was intercepted, and the contraband was found concealed inside. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act.
Police in Navi Mumbai arrested a Nigerian national, Anyi Ikechukwu Darlington, and seized mephedrone and cocaine worth Rs 3.57 crore. The accused, previously arrested in a drug case, was out on bail and is now under investigation for his role in a drug distribution network.
Bollywood actor-director Siddhanth Kapoor was questioned by Mumbai police in connection with a drug seizure case. The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) also summoned influencer Orhan Awatramani. The investigation is linked to a Rs 252 crore mephedrone seizure case.
Delhi Police have apprehended three more individuals, including a couple, in connection with a drug supply network in Burari, North Delhi, where a minor was allegedly used to sell heroin. This brings the total arrests to six, with significant seizures of heroin, cocaine, and MDMA. The investigation is ongoing to trace the drug source and other involved parties.
Uttar Pradesh has significantly ramped up its efforts against narcotics trafficking, confiscating properties worth approximately Rs 78.5 crore in 69 cases this year. This marks a more than fourfold increase from the previous year, with authorities also initiating detention proceedings under the PIT-NDPS Act to dismantle drug networks and target assets acquired through illegal trade.
A special NIA court in Ahmedabad has sentenced six Pakistani nationals to eight years of rigorous imprisonment for their involvement in the 2019 mid-sea seizure of 330 kg of 'brown heroin' off Gujarat's Jakhau coast. An Indian man, allegedly the intended recipient, was acquitted due to benefit of doubt. The National Investigation Agency had probed the case, alleging funds from the smuggling were intended for a terror organisation.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized over 24 kg of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in Kerala and arrested five individuals involved in trafficking networks.
Police in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, seized a large quantity of brown sugar and arrested five individuals involved in interstate drug trafficking.
Mizoram police have dismantled multiple smuggling modules, seizing narcotics valued at 25.01 crore and arresting eight people, including Myanmar nationals, in a week-long crackdown.
Rajasthan's Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has conducted six operations across the state, seizing narcotics worth Rs 92 lakh and arresting six individuals. The seizures included poppy husk, opium, smack, and cannabis plants, with a significant bust involving a truck with secret compartments in Bhilwara.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Thiruvananthapuram Division has seized 943 kg of narcotic substances valued at Rs 54.98 crore in 108 cases between January and September this year. These efforts are part of Operation NARCOS, a nationwide initiative to prevent the railway network from being used for drug trafficking. The RPF also detected cases involving banned tobacco products and IMFL during the same period.
Bengaluru police arrested two individuals for transporting 317 kg of ganja, worth Rs 1.78 crore, from Odisha to Kerala. The arrests were made on October 12 after intercepting a car in Bengaluru. The accused had travelled to Odisha to purchase the ganja at a low price, intending to sell it for a higher price in Kerala. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act, and investigations are ongoing to identify others involved.
Police in Palghar, Maharashtra, have arrested two individuals and detained a juvenile after seizing brown sugar worth over Rs 44 lakh. The raid, prompted by a tip-off, uncovered drugs, cash, and packing materials in Saphala.
AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami has criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay for his silence regarding a multi-crore international drug racket operating along the state's coastline. Palaniswami questioned if the racket was happening with the ruling TVK's knowledge, citing a recent 137 kg crystal methamphetamine seizure by the DRI and the alleged involvement of a TVK functionary. He demanded a comprehensive explanation from the Chief Minister.
The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Pravin Shinde and Brijesh Moradiya in a money laundering investigation connected to international drug trafficker Salim Ismail Dola's syndicate. The probe revealed a highly organised network involved in manufacturing and trafficking mephedrone, using hawala channels to layer proceeds of crime and acquire assets.
Bengaluru Customs officials arrested two passengers from Bangkok at Kempegowda International Airport for smuggling hydroponic ganja worth Rs 6.33 crore. This incident is part of a series of recent seizures, including more ganja and gold, highlighting ongoing efforts against contraband.
A police team investigating a narcotics case in Hamirpur was attacked by a dog unleashed by a suspect, resulting in an officer being bitten. Five individuals have been booked for obstructing official duty under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. In a separate incident, police seized 20 kg of poppy husk and made an arrest.
Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi arrested an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok and seized 12.85 kg of suspected ganja, valued at approximately Rs 4.5 crore, on Friday. The passenger was intercepted on October 6, and the contraband was found in his trolley bag.
Rajasthan police seized nearly 1 kg of MDMA, valued at approximately 1 crore, and arrested one person as part of 'Operation Sankalp - Nasha Mukt Nagaur'.
Police in Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh, seized 2,040 cannabis plants valued at Rs 1 crore from two fields on Sunday, leading to the booking of two individuals under the NDPS Act.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested an Indian national from Uttarakhand in connection with an international Captagon drug trafficking racket. This follows the earlier arrest of a Syrian national and the seizure of 227 kg of Captagon, a highly stimulant drug, in India.
Madhya Pradesh has achieved the top rank in India for drug destruction, eliminating over 2.74 lakh kilograms of narcotics in two years. The state is implementing a comprehensive strategy, including forming anti-drug committees in educational institutions, launching a three-year campaign to dismantle drug networks, strengthening intelligence, and expanding de-addiction centres. Authorities have also seized significant quantities of drugs, attached properties, and conducted extensive public awareness programmes.
Nurpur police froze assets worth Rs 74.12 lakh belonging to Ramesh Kumar, an accused in an NDPS Act case. The frozen assets include a building and a tractor, acquired through alleged illicit drug trade, as part of a broader campaign against drug trafficking in the state.
The Thane City Crime Branch has dismantled a drug trafficking network connected to the Kashmir Valley, arresting three individuals and confiscating charas and tramadol capsules worth over Rs 3.03 crore. The operation is part of a special anti-narcotics drive, with investigations ongoing into the supply chain and financial links.
A Thailand national woman was arrested in Gurugram with approximately 14 grams of MDMA during a raid by the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau. Investigators are probing her alleged visa overstay and potential links to a wider drug distribution network, with a case registered under the NDPS Act.
Four inter-state drug peddlers were arrested in Ranchi, Jharkhand, with brown sugar valued at Rs 23 lakh. Police seized 340 grams of the drug, Rs 9,100 in cash, and vehicles. The accused, including three from Bihar and one from Ranchi, planned to sell the contraband during festivals. An FIR has been registered under the NDPS Act.
Meghalaya Police seized drugs worth over 51 crore in East Jaintia Hills district, arresting two Mizoram-based individuals, marking the state's largest narcotics haul to date.
Bengaluru police have arrested two alleged interstate drug peddlers, including a woman, and seized narcotics worth Rs 11.50 crore. The operation uncovered a network distributing drugs sourced from Thailand, along with other seizures of Ganja and Hashish Oil.
Assam Police have seized drugs worth Rs 13 crore and arrested five individuals in two separate operations in Guwahati and Nagaon. This comes as part of a sustained anti-drug campaign in the state, which has seen seizures totalling Rs 125.05 crore in the last two weeks.
Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered 176 cases and arrested 202 individuals in the first 50 days of their anti-drug trafficking campaign. The operation has resulted in significant seizures of heroin, poppy straw, ganja, and opium, along with the freezing of assets and demolition of properties linked to drug-related activities.
Mumbai Police's Anti-Narcotics Cell dismantled a mephedrone manufacturing lab in Agripada, seizing over 14 kg of the drug worth approximately Rs 50.74 crore and arresting three individuals.
Bengaluru police have arrested four individuals, including three from other states, for allegedly selling various prohibited narcotic substances like ganja, MDMA, methamphetamine, and codeine cough syrup. The arrests led to the seizure of drugs and a car, with a total market value of Rs 14.94 lakh. The accused confessed to purchasing drugs at lower prices and selling them to the public and college students for profit.
Jammu and Kashmir Police have attached immovable property worth Rs 71 lakh belonging to an alleged drug peddler in Udhampur as part of their drug-free campaign.
