Amit Shah Calls for Ruthless Approach to Dismantle Drug Supply Chains

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 19th July. Exhorting anti-narcotics agencies to adopt a ruthless approach to dismantle supply chains, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that India will not allow even a gram of drugs to enter the country or be used for drug trade in any manner.

Addressing senior officials of central and state anti-narcotics agencies during the 7th apex-level meeting of NCORD, or the narco-coordination centre, in the national capital, Shah emphasized the government’s uncompromising stance on drug trafficking.

India is working on a system that will prevent even a gram of drugs from entering or being trafficked abroad, Shah stated. During his address at Vigyan Bhawan, Shah announced the launch of the MANAS helpline number ‘1933’ and an email ID (info.ncbmanas@gov.in), along with the website ncbmanas.gov.in, for people to report information about drug trafficking to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

“The entire drug business is now linked with narco-terror, and the money generated from the drug trade has become the most serious threat to the country’s security. The goal of all agencies should not only be to nab drug users but also to bust the entire network,” Shah asserted.

He added, “We will not let even a gram of drugs come into India, nor will we allow such a quantity to be trafficked abroad.” Shah emphasized the need for a ruthless approach towards the drug supply chain, a strategic approach towards demand reduction, and a humane approach for harm reduction.

Highlighting the success of anti-narcotics agencies under the Modi government, Shah noted that drug seizures have tripled from 2014-24 compared to 2004-13. “About 5.43 lakh kg drugs valued at about Rs 22,000 crore were seized during our government’s tenure compared to 1.52 lakh kg narcotics worth Rs 5,933 crore seized during 2004-13,” he said.

हम भारत में एक भी ग्राम ड्रग्स न कहीं से आने देंगे और न ही देश की सीमाओं को ड्रग्स के व्यापार के लिए किसी भी प्रकार से इस्तेमाल होने देंगे।#नशा_मुक्त_भारत pic.twitter.com/3GeSZlKtvv

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 18, 2024

Shah stressed that the proceeds from narco-terror pose the most serious threat to India’s security. He criticized western countries for decriminalizing certain drug offenses, attributing this to their lack of prison capacity rather than a humanitarian or liberal approach.

The home minister urged anti-narcotics agencies to use both top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top approaches to dismantle drug supply chains. He emphasized the importance of tracking and checking drugs from their entry point into the country to their final trafficking destination.

Shah highlighted the Modi government’s comprehensive approach to combating drugs over the past five years, focusing on structural, institutional, and informational reforms. He called for a shift from a “need to know” to a “duty to share” mentality among agencies.

To further aid the battle against drugs, Shah announced that the government will soon provide less costly kits for the preliminary testing of narcotics, facilitating easier case registration by all agencies.

Shah reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s goal for India to be foremost in every field by 2047, emphasizing that this can only be achieved by keeping the younger generation away from drugs. He stressed that anti-narcotics agencies should target drug traders and traffickers, not users. He also urged multi-agency platforms like NCORD to be outcome-based and result-oriented in this serious task.

During the meeting, Shah released the NCB’s ‘Annual Report 2023’ and a compendium on ‘Drug-Free India’.