Gujarat Police seized Rs 13,600 crore worth of drugs in 5 years

Gandhinagar, June 26 (IANS) Gujarat Police have seized more than 1.36 lakh kilograms of narcotic substances worth over Rs 13,600 crore and arrested 5,346 people in connection with drug trafficking cases over the past five years, as the state intensified its campaign against organised drug networks and international smuggling operations.

The figures were released ahead of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, with senior state officials highlighting the results of anti-narcotics operations carried out across Gujarat during the period.

Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik said the state government’s “zero tolerance” policy towards drug trafficking had been rigorously implemented on the ground.

“More than 3,700 cases related to the trafficking and trade of narcotic substances had been registered during the past five years, leading to the arrest and imprisonment of 5,346 accused persons,” he said.

Malik said police had seized more than 1.36 lakh kilograms of drugs valued at over Rs 13,600 crore through a series of strategic operations.

He added that the action had “broken the backbone of international drug smuggling networks”.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said Gujarat Police’s sustained operations had significantly disrupted trafficking routes. “Today, mafias involved in the drug trade are afraid to transport their consignments to other states through Gujarat,” he said.

The state has also introduced measures to strengthen anti-drug enforcement.

Gujarat became the first state in the country to implement a formal “Drug Reward Policy”, under which police personnel who expose major drug networks and seize large quantities of narcotics, as well as citizens and informants who provide credible intelligence, receive financial incentives.

In addition, the government has adopted a policy of granting “out-of-turn promotions” to police personnel who risk their lives while exposing international drug rackets.

Officials said Gujarat has also developed an artificial intelligence-based software system named ‘NARIT’ for profiling offenders and tracking criminal networks.

According to the police, the software analyses criminal records, financial transactions, international links and digital connections to support investigations and strengthen cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

As part of its anti-narcotics strategy, the state has established an Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) to target international supply chains and trafficking networks.

Local police stations have also been authorised to register and directly investigate narcotics cases, a responsibility previously handled primarily by specialised units such as the ATS and SOG.

Efforts are also underway to create dedicated anti-narcotics cells in every district to curb the spread of drugs in urban and rural areas, including remote villages.

Police data show that 315 narcotics cases were registered in Gujarat in 2020. In the first five months of 2026 alone, 584 cases have already been registered.

Officials said the increase reflected stronger surveillance and enforcement rather than a rise in drug activity. Sanghavi said the campaign was not limited to law enforcement.

“This fight is not limited to arresting criminals; it is also about safely rescuing the youth of the state who have fallen into the trap of addiction,” he said.

He said the government had strengthened and modernised de-addiction centres and was providing counselling and medical treatment to help affected individuals return to mainstream society.

–IANS

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