Narcotics

₹1,800 crore worth of drugs dumped at sea off Gujarat coast seized

The smugglers, upon spotting the approaching patrol vessel, dumped the drugs into the Arabian Sea and fled toward international waters

Drug addiction a quasi pandemic; need strict compliance of rules: Bombay HC

Drug trafficking is a serious crime and drug addiction is a "quasi pandemic", the Bombay High Court has said, stressing the need for authorities to scrupulously follow the mandated rules while arresting a person and during recovery procedure. People dealing in drugs in the society need to be dealt with an iron fist but it cannot be at the cost of liberty of an individual, a single bench of Justice Milind Jadhav said in an order passed on Tuesday. The court made the remarks while granting bail to four persons arrested in 2023 for alleged possession of medicinal drugs under provisions of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The accused, while seeking bail, raised procedural irregularities by authorities when they were arrested and also while carrying out search of their residential premises. The bench in its order said the prosecuting agency has to strictly follow the procedure laid down in law during recovery procedure. "This is because the liberty of an accu

Trump's aid freeze disrupts anti-narcotics programme at Mexican ports

The initiative provided Mexico's Navy with training and equipment to improve screening of cargo entering and exiting the Port of Manzanillo, the nation's busiest container port

Narco terror case: SC calls charges 'serious', denies bail plea of accused

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to hear the bail plea of an accused in an alleged narco terrorism case, relating to the seizure of 532 kilogram of heroin and 52 kilogram of mixed narcotics worth Rs 2,700 crore at Attari. A bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and Prashant Kumar Mishra refused to agree with the submissions of senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for one Tariq Ahmed Lone, that he should be granted bail as the contraband was not recovered from him. The charges are very serious, the bench said while dismissing the bail plea. The accused persons were booked and chargesheeted for allegedly trying to smuggle the contraband into India from Pakistan through Attari Integrated Check Post in 2019. Lone, a resident of Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir, moved the top court against the October 4, 2024 order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court denying him bail in the case. A special NIA court in Mohali rejected his bail plea on February 11, 2021. Gonsalves sought bail by

Govt reports 55% rise to Rs 25,330 cr of narcotics seizures in 2024

Narcotics worth over Rs 25,330 crore were seized by various agencies during 2024, an increase of 55 per cent as compared to the seizures made in 2023, an official statement said on Monday. The action in line with the zero-tolerance policy against drugs of the Centre was undertaken by all law enforcement agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau. The trend showed that seizure of addictive synthetic drugs, cocaine and pharmaceutical drugs used as psychotropic substances has increased significantly, which are also of much higher value, the statement said. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while implementing zero-tolerance policy against drugs, in 2024, all law enforcement agencies across the country, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), seized narcotics worth approximately ?25,330 crore, which is more than 55% higher compared to the ?16,100 crore worth of drugs seized in 2023," it said. The increase in seizure is the result of 'Bottom to Top' and '

Vehicles used for ferrying drugs to be confiscated post trial: SC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday held vehicles used for ferrying drugs could only be confiscated after the conclusion of the case's trial when the accused was convicted or acquitted or discharged. A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and Manmohan passed the verdict and said there was no specific bar under the the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act against the interim release of seized vehicles, provided the owner was not complicit in the offense. "Upon a reading of the NDPS Act, this court is of the view that the seized vehicles can be confiscated," the bench said, "by the trial court only on conclusion of the trial when the accused is convicted or acquitted or discharged." Further, even when the court decides the vehicle should be confiscated, it must give an opportunity to the person to be heard, it said. The seized vehicle, however, was not liable to be confiscated if its owner proved the vehicle was used by the accused person without their knowledge or ...

BSF recovers 3 Pakistani drones from border areas in Punjab's Amritsar

The drones were recovered from Rajatal village in Amritsar, Punjab, and were effectively neutralised using advanced technical countermeasures

Assam Rifles destroys 354 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in 2024

Assam Rifles actively coordinated with state and central agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Manipur Police and other CAPFs deployed in the area

FIU helped detecting Rs 11k cr undisclosed income, 461 kg narcotics: FinMin

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has helped in detection of undisclosed income of Rs 11,000 crore and seizure of 461 kg of narcotic drugs, the finance ministry said on Thursday. The FIU under the finance ministry collects, analyses and disseminates information to law enforcement agencies about suspicious financial transactions pertaining to money laundering, terror and proliferation financing. The intelligence shared by FIU-IND with agencies has led to Rs 983 crore worth of assets attached, Rs 2,763 crore worth criminal proceeds identified and Rs 10,998 crore undisclosed income detected. Besides, it helped in seizure of 461 kg of narcotic/psychotropic substances, levy of Rs 39.14 crore penalty and 184 arrests in money laundering and terror financing cases. In a post on X, the finance ministry also said 46.31 per cent higher refunds were issued between April-November 27, 2024, during FY25. Refunds amounting to Rs 3.08 lakh crore issued during this period.

DRI seizes 123 kg Methamphetamine in H1FY25; max cases in Assam, Mizoram

Seizures of the narcotic drug Methamphetamine have increased in the northeastern states of Assam and Mizoram in the current year, with the DRI confiscating 123 kg of the contraband during April-September. Methamphetamine, also known as 'ice' or 'crystal meth', has become a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies in India, particularly through the porous northeastern borders. According to a report by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the smuggling trend indicates that Methamphetamine is being illegally brought into India through sea routes in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. For smuggling, the drug is brought to coastal hamlets like Rameswaram, Tuticorin and Nagapattinam, concealed within specially designed compartments in buses, trains, or cars. From these locations, it is smuggled across the maritime border to Sri Lanka through mid-sea transfers involving Indian fishing boats. In the first half of FY 2024-25, DRI seized 123 kg of methamphetamine in 11 cas

In a first, India to chair 68th Session of UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs

This is the first time that India has been named to Chair this important UN body

Manipur govt destroys over 19,000 acres of illegal poppy cultivation

The Manipur government has destroyed a total of 19,135.6 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in at least 12 districts since 2017, according to an official report. In Kangpokpi district, the highest of 4,454.4 acres were destroyed during the period, followed by 3,348 acres in Ukhrul and 2,713.8 acres in Churachandpur, the study Mapping and Estimation of Opium Poppy Cultivation Area using Remote Sensing and GIS Technology revealed. The exercise was conducted by the Manipur Remote Sensing Applications Centre under the Planning Department, based on data provided by the Narcotics and Affairs of Border' wing of the state police. The other districts where illegal poppy cultivation was destroyed include 2,575 acres in Tengnoupal, 1,982.5 acres in Chandel and 1,682 acres in Senapati, the report said. It showed that the area under poppy cultivation in nine districts in 2021-22 was 28,598.91 acres, which declined to 11,288.1 acres in 2023-24. Between 2023 and 2024, poppy cultivation decreas

Delhi Guv Saxena directs crackdown to make capital drug-free in 3 years

Earlier, in a bid to tackle the growing problem of drug abuse, LG Saxena announced the launch of a one-month anti-drug campaign set to begin on December 1

500 kg of crystal meth seized during India-Sri Lanka joint naval operation

Around 500 kg of crystal methamphetamine narcotics were seized from two fishing vessels in the Arabian Sea in a joint operation by the navies of India and Sri Lanka. The joint operation came after Indian Navy's long-range maritime patrol aircraft and drones carried out a surveillance mission in the critical sea lanes based on inputs from the Sri Lankan Navy, officials said. The narcotics were seized on November 25, they added. The two boats, along with the crew and seized narcotics, are being handed over to Sri Lankan authorities for further legal action, the Indian Navy said on Friday. The Indian Navy's Gurugram-based Information Fusion Centre (IFC) that has emerged as a key hub in tracking movements of ships and other developments in the Indian Ocean region also provided certain details for the operation, the officials said. "Based on information received from the Sri Lankan Navy regarding probable narcotics smuggling by Sri Lankan flagged fishing vessels in the Arabian Sea, the

Significant success achieved against terrorism, insurgency, narcotics: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said significant success has been achieved in the past 10 years against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, left-wing extremism, insurgency in the northeast and narcotics, the four major challenges before the country. He credited the "firms" policies of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre for the success. Left-wing extremism will be eradicated completely by March 31, 2026, Shah asserted while addressing the valedictory function of the 99th foundation course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie. "Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Left Wing Extremism, insurgency in the northeast and narcotics are the four major challenges before the country. Due to the firm policies of the Modi government, significant success has been achieved in all four areas over the past 10 years," he said. The Union home minister also said the implementation of the three new criminal laws through the use of technology, replacing the

Man arrested for illegally cultivating cannabis in his Greater Noida house

Initial report shows Liam Payne had cocaine in his system when he died

An initial toxicology report for ex-One Direction singer Liam Payne, who died last week after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, showed that he had cocaine in his system after his death, an Argentine official said. The final toxicology results are not expected to be made public for some weeks. But the preliminary toxicology report of the wildly famous boy band star, handed to local prosecutors on Monday, suggested evidence of exposure to cocaine, the official said, stressing that these initial results don't offer an accurate reading of just how much was circulating in his blood when he died. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief journalists. The preliminary report was widely reported in local media on Monday. Argentina's public prosecution is investigating the case which is not uncommon when a death is sudden or unexpected. Payne's autopsy concluded that the traumatic injuries that caused his death were consisten

Delhi-Gujarat haul: Drugs brought from S America, purified in Ankleshwar

Amid a series of drug busts in Delhi and Gujarat, police here on Monday said that around 1,300 kg of narcotics was brought from countries in South America to a pharmaceutical company in Gujarat for purification before being supplied to the national capital. According to officials 1,289 kg of cocaine and 40 kg of hydroponic marijuana, worth more than Rs 13,000 crore, have been recovered from Delhi and Gujarat so far. The latest haul came on Sunday when a joint operation of Delhi and Gujarat Police seized at least 518 kilograms of cocaine worth around Rs 5000 crore from Gujarat's Ankleshwar, and arrested five people. The officials said the new seizure was connected to the recovery of 700 kilograms of cocaine in Delhi. A day after the latest recovery of cocaine from Avkar Drugs Limited Company in Gujarat's Ankleshwar, Delhi Police on Monday said the consignment was refined there by mixing chemical before being sent to Delhi. Of the five who were arrested from Gujarat, three -- Vijay

Narco violence leaves 200 dead, 234 missing in Mexican state in grim month

An analysis of hundreds of statements from the state prosecutor's office, the Interior Ministry and local press by Revista Espejo show the deadly tally of the clashes between two criminal groups

MP drug haul: Accused shoots himself to evade questioning, surrenders later

An accused in the mega mephedrone drug seizure in Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh allegedly shot himself in the foot to escape tough police grilling and then surrendered in Mandsaur, an official has said. The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad and the Narcotics Control Bureau on October 5 seized 907.09 kg of mephedrone and raw materials to make the drug worth Rs 1,814 crore from a factory in Bagroda in Bhopal. Premsukh Patidar alias farzi doctor' (phony doctor) was on the run after the drug haul. He surrendered at Afzalpur police station here with a gunshot wound in his left thigh inflicted with a country-made pistol. He is the fourth person to be arrested in the case, Mandsaur Superintendent of Police Abhishek Anand told PTI on Friday. A weapon was seized from Patidar, who has been admitted to the district hospital. The pistol seems to be illegal. Patidar wounded himself in a bid to avoid tough police grilling," the SP said. Patisar is allegedly the partner of another accused in the case, Hari