New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the fight against narcotics has been elevated to a national security priority, with the Centre setting a three-year, mission-mode roadmap from July 2026 to July 2029.
Addressing a press conference in Panaji, Goa, Shah said drug trafficking fuels narco-terrorism and threatens future generations. He said drug seizures have risen sharply under the Modi government, from 26 lakh kg worth about ₹40,000 crore during 2004-14 to over 1.19 crore kg worth around ₹1.89 lakh crore during 2014-26. Drug destruction also increased from 3.36 lakh kg to 48.68 lakh kg over the two periods.
The government has adopted a four-tier NCORD mechanism, dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Forces, the NIDAAN database and data-driven investigations to trace drug networks from source to street-level distribution. Special focus is being placed on financial investigations, dark net and crypto-linked trafficking, synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals.
Under the new 2026-29 roadmap, more than 200 time-bound action points have been identified across four pillars: intelligence and enforcement, precursor and synthetic drug control, demand and harm reduction, and capacity building and coordination.
The plan includes increasing de-addiction centres threefold to 1,751, creating fully equipped Anti-Narcotics Task Forces in every state by March 2027, ensuring forensic reports within 30 days and preparing dossiers on drug kingpins. The BSF, CISF, Coast Guard, Customs and DRI will strengthen surveillance at borders, ports and airports, while agencies including the CBI, ED, FIU and Interpol will target fugitives and financial networks.
Shah said 25 crore people have been reached under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and 5.7 lakh citizens have been made drug-free through treatment and rehabilitation. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of ensuring that a drug-free youth population forms the foundation of a developed India by 2047.
He also said India would welcome foreign visitors, but not drugs, and pledged to tackle trafficking through the “Death Triangle” and “Death Crescent” routes with a coordinated approach.
BI Bureau
