Wipe out clandestine narcotics labs ruthlessly: Home Minister Amit Shah tells states

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Jan 11 urged all states to destroy clandestine narcotics laboratories with rigor and take legal action against them with a ruthless approach.

Addressing a regional conference on 'Drug Trafficking and National Security' in New Delhi, Shah said the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and police seized drugs worth a staggering ₹16,914 crore across the country in 2024.

"All states should destroy illegal clandestine laboratories with rigor and take legal action against them with a ruthless approach," he said.

The home minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is moving forward with a ruthless approach against the drug supply chain, a strategic approach for demand reduction, and a humane approach for the victims.

He emphasized the need to strategically and cautiously expand the use of legal provisions for asset confiscation.

The home minister stressed the importance of devising district-level strategies and establishing mechanisms to escalate cases systematically, which would enhance the effectiveness of the campaign.

He also highlighted the central government's efforts to develop an anti-drone system, urging the police forces of all border states to support this initiative by organizing hackathons and actively contributing to advancements in this area.

"The time has come now when we can all contribute to this fight and succeed in winning it," he said.

Shah said in the last 10 years, there has been a seven-fold increase in the seizure of drugs, which is a major achievement.

"The Modi government has given a strong message of destroying the entire ecosystem of drugs through strict action," he said.

"No country can move forward on the path of development with a young generation suffering from drug addiction. It is our responsibility that we all fight this challenge together and make all efforts to win this battle," he said.

The home minister said during 2004-14, a total of 3.63 lakh kg of drugs were seized while between 2014-24, altogether 24 lakh kg of drugs were seized — a seven-fold increase as compared to the previous decade.

He said drugs worth ₹8,150 crore were disposed of in 2004-14 but in 2014-24, drugs worth ₹54,851 crore were destroyed — eight times more than the previous decade.

The conference, organized by the NCB, aims to address the growing concern of drug trafficking and its impact on national security, with a special focus on eight states and Union Territories of northern India.

Shah also launched the drug disposal fortnight starting from Saturday to January 25. He said that during this period, one lakh kg of narcotics worth ₹8,600 crore will be destroyed.

The conference is being attended by governors, lieutenant governors, chief ministers and senior officers from the eight participating states and UTs and the central government.

(PTI)