India’s Year-Long Drug Crackdown to Target Traffickers, Darknet and Pharma Diversion
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India’s anti-drug agencies will launch 24 nationwide fortnightly drives from September to August 2027, targeting traffickers, fugitives, pharma diversion and darknet networks.
By Hitanshi Kothari
New Delhi, August 23: Anti-drug agencies will launch a year-long nationwide enforcement drive from September to dismantle drug trafficking networks, track absconding narcotics offenders and curb the diversion of pharmaceutical drugs, officials said on Sunday. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has asked states and central agencies to conduct 24 specialised fortnight-long drives through August 2027, targeting drug trafficking across land, sea and air routes, as well as illicit cultivation, darknet operations and clandestine drug manufacturing.
Nationwide Drives
The NCB has written to states and central agencies involved in combating drug crimes, asking them to undertake 24 special drives, each lasting a fortnight, until August next year.
An awareness programme for students in schools and colleges has already been underway since August 16, while enforcement-focused campaigns will begin in September. One of the September drives will focus on identifying foreigners involved in drug crimes for possible deportation, followed by a fortnight targeting absconding narcotics offenders.
The agencies will also prepare dossiers on drug crime fugitives as part of the coordinated action plan.
Medical Shops to Face Checks
From October, the NCB, along with state and Union Territory Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTFs), will inspect medical shops and pharmacies in coordination with drug controllers. The checks will focus on identifying the diversion of pharmaceutical drugs for use in narcotics trafficking.
The action plan includes coordinated checks at airports, seaports and land borders during the second half of December. It also includes awareness programmes for coastal communities on maritime drug trafficking.
Illicit Cultivation, Precursor Chemicals Targeted
The second fortnight of January 2027 will focus on detecting and destroying illicit drug cultivation.
In February, agencies will conduct awareness programmes in chemical industries to prevent the diversion of precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of illegal drugs. Joint inspections of prisons are also planned during the second half of February.
Darknet, Crypto Trade on Radar
The campaign will also focus on emerging methods used by drug syndicates, including darknet-based trafficking, cryptocurrency transactions, synthetic drugs and clandestine drug manufacturing laboratories.
Government anti-narcotics agents will receive specialised training to identify and investigate such activities.
Youth-Focused Campaigns Planned
The action plan also includes initiatives to engage young people through sports and promote drug-free campuses. Educational institutions will undergo verification exercises to assess compliance with drug-free campus measures.
The fortnightly campaigns are intended to supplement the regular responsibilities and time-bound targets assigned to various agencies under the National Vision Document for Narcotics Control 2026-29, which was unveiled recently.
The NCB said the coordinated nationwide drives would strengthen cooperation among enforcement agencies, improve public awareness and contribute towards the government's goal of a "Nasha Mukt Bharat", or drug-free India.
(With Inputs from PTI)
