New Delhi [India]: Union Home Minister Amit Shah commended law enforcement agencies on Saturday for their significant achievements in combating drug trafficking, announcing record-breaking seizures in 2024. Speaking at the regional conference on “Drug Trafficking and National Security,” Shah revealed that drugs worth over ₹16,000 crore were confiscated last year.
“It is a matter of joy that in the year 2024, breaking all records of the value of seized drugs, the police and NCB have succeeded in seizing drugs worth ₹16,914 crore. This is the biggest figure after independence,” Shah stated during the conference attended by representatives from northern Indian states.
Shah emphasized that the fight against drug trafficking has also exposed terror networks in various states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. “This is a big achievement for us,” he said, highlighting the link between drugs and terrorism.
The Union Home Minister explained that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has made the anti-drug campaign a key focus over the past two years. “In the regional conference, we review our fight against drugs, hold discussions, and develop new strategies to share with the states,” he added.
Shah also compared the progress made over the past decade, noting a sevenfold increase in drug seizures between 2014-2024 compared to 2004-2014. “From 2004 to 2014, about 3.63 lakh kg of drugs were seized. In the last decade, we have seized 24 lakh kg—a sevenfold increase,” he highlighted.
Regarding the disposal of confiscated drugs, Shah said the value of disposed drugs increased from ₹8,150 crore in 2004-2014 to ₹56,851 crore in 2014-2024, marking an eightfold rise.
The conference, attended by Governors, Lieutenant Governors, Chief Ministers, and senior officers from eight states and union territories, served as a platform to launch new initiatives. Shah inaugurated the Drug Disposal Fortnight, during which 44,792 kilograms of seized narcotics, valued at ₹2,411 crore in the international market, will be destroyed from January 11 to January 25.
He also inaugurated the new office complex of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Bhopal zonal unit and announced the nationwide expansion of the MANAS-2 helpline to all 28 states and 8 union territories.
Additionally, Shah outlined the MHA’s three-pronged strategy to achieve a drug-free India by 2047. This includes strengthening institutional frameworks, improving coordination among narcotics agencies, and launching extensive public awareness campaigns.