New Delhi, Aug 23: Anti-drug trafficking agencies will launch a year-long nationwide enforcement campaign from September, targeting absconding narcotics offenders, illegal diversion of pharmaceutical drugs and drug-trafficking networks, officials said on Sunday.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has asked States and various Central agencies involved in combating drug-related crimes to conduct 24 special fortnight-long drives, with the campaigns scheduled to continue until August next year.
An ongoing awareness programme for students in schools and colleges began on August 16, while enforcement drives will start in September. One of the initial campaigns will focus on identifying foreign nationals involved in drug crimes for deportation, followed by a drive against absconding narcotics offenders.
From October, the NCB, along with State and Union Territory Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTFs), will inspect medical stores and pharmacies in coordination with drug controllers to prevent the diversion of pharmaceutical drugs for narcotics trafficking.
The action plan also includes preparing dossiers on fugitives involved in drug crimes, sensitising coastal communities about maritime drug trafficking and conducting coordinated checks at airports, seaports and land borders.
In January 2027, agencies will focus on detecting and destroying illicit drug cultivation, followed by an awareness campaign in chemical industries on preventing the diversion of precursor chemicals. Joint inspections of prisons are also planned in February.
Other campaigns will focus on engaging youth through sports, verifying drug-free campuses and training anti-narcotics officials to detect darknet-based trafficking, cryptocurrency transactions, synthetic drugs and clandestine manufacturing laboratories.
Officials said the fortnightly drives are aimed at strengthening ongoing enforcement efforts under the National Vision Document for Narcotics Control 2026-29.
The NCB said the coordinated campaigns would improve inter-agency cooperation, increase public awareness and contribute to the goal of achieving a Nasha Mukt Bharat (Drug-Free India).
