1.44L kg drugs to be destroyed in Amit Shah’s presence today

New Delhi: In a landmark initiative to combat drug trafficking and bolster national security, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has joined forces with the Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTFs) of all states.

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced recently that on Monday, over 1,44,000 kilograms of drugs with an estimated worth of approximately Rs. 2,416 crore will be destroyed across various locations in the country, while, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be chairing the Regional Conference on ‘Drugs Smuggling and National Security’, addressing the urgent issue of drug trafficking and its implications on the nation.

This large-scale drug destruction campaign is part of the incumbent Modi-led central government’s policy to creating a drugs-free India and its “zero tolerance” policy against narcotics. The ministry also provided details of the drugs earmarked for destruction, which include significant seizures made by the NCB and other law enforcement agencies. Among them are 6,590 kilograms seized by the NCB’s Hyderabad unit, 822 kilograms by the Indore unit, and 356 kilograms by the Jammu unit.

Contributions from various state agencies across the country bring the total quantity of drugs set to be destroyed to 1,44,122 kilograms.

Notable contributions include 1,486 kilograms in Assam, 229 kilograms in Chandigarh, 25 kilograms in Goa, 4,277 kilograms in Gujarat, 2,458 kilograms in Haryana, 4,069 kilograms in Jammu and Kashmir, 1,03,884 kilograms in Madhya Pradesh, 159 kilograms in Maharashtra, 1,803 kilograms in Tripura, and 4,049 kilograms in Uttar Pradesh.

The home minister has previously expressed the government’s determination to eliminate the drug menace in the country. This initiative has already seen significant success, with NCB’s regional units and state ANTFs collectively destroying around 8,76,554 kilograms of seized drugs valued at approximately Rs. 9,580 crore from June 1 of the previous year to July 15 of the current year.

These figures have surpassed the target by over 11 times. With the scheduled destruction of drugs on Monday, the total quantity of drugs eliminated in the past year will reach approximately 10 lakh kgs, with an estimated value of around Rs. 12,000 crore. The Regional Conference on ‘Drugs Smuggling and National Security’ underscores the govt’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy to combat drug smuggling and ensuring safety and security of nation.