Gujarat Cops Seize Over ₹5,300 Crore Worth of Drugs in 1.5 Years – A Major Blow to Drug Trafficking.

Gujarat Cops Seize Over ₹5,300 Crore Worth of Drugs in 1.5 Years – A Major Blow to Drug Trafficking.

Gujarat police have seized drugs worth over ₹ 5,300 crores in the last 1.5 years, according to a recent announcement by the state government. This is a huge achievement for law enforcement agencies in Gujarat and shows their determination to tackle the menace of drug trafficking in the state.

The Gujarat police informed the state legislative Assembly on Tuesday that they had confiscated drugs with a street value of over 5,300 crores and arrested 102 people involved in the illegal narcotics trade during the past year and a half.

Harsh Sanghavi, minister of state for the home of Gujarat, revealed the details during a debate on “matters of urgent public interest” in the Assembly, as required by Rule 116.

The Scale of the Problem

Drug trafficking is a major problem in India, with smugglers using the country as a transit point for drugs destined for other parts of the world. Gujarat, which is located on India’s western coast, has long been a target for drug smugglers because of its closeness to major ports and advantageous geographical position.

The state is also home to a large number of chemical factories, which are often used by drug traffickers to manufacture illegal drugs. During the debate on action taken by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government to halt the dumping of narcotics substances such as heroin in the border state through the sea route in recent times, he made the following statement:

“From August 2021 till February 2023, the Gujarat police recovered nearly 1,000 kg of drugs worth over 5,300 crores and apprehended 102 accused persons, including 56 foreign nationals.” He made this statement during the discussion on action taken by Gujarat

According to the ministry, since August 2021, 56 foreign nationals have been detained on suspicion of involvement in the illegal drug trade. Of these, 44 were Pakistani, seven were Iranian, three were Afghan, and two were Nigerian.

Senior Gujarat Congress MLAs Amit Chavda, Arjun Modhwadia, Pravinkumar Mali, and Uday Kangad all brought up the subject in the Legislature (both BJP).

The Government’s Response

The Gujarat government has been taking strong action against drug trafficking in recent years, and this latest announcement shows that their efforts are bearing fruit. The state police have been working closely with central agencies such as the Narcotics Control Bureau to identify drug smugglers and seize their contraband.

Additionally, the government has also been taking steps to prevent drug abuse and addiction among the youth. They have launched awareness campaigns and set up rehabilitation centres to help those who are struggling with addiction.

Sanghavi praised the Gujarat police for their efforts to combat the trafficking of narcotics and said other states governed by the Congress had sent delegates to observe how the police in the western state were able to control the drug problem successfully.

Chavda urged that the BJP administration also looks into the actions of those who “give a platform” for the smuggling of drugs. He made this demand in reference to the drugs previously confiscated from the Mundra Port run by the Adani group.

According to Congress Member Modhwadia, the Punjab government’s previous actions have made it more difficult to transport drugs into the northern state that borders Pakistan. He asserted that the majority of narcotics seizures in Gujarat were made by federal authorities rather than the state police.

“Due to (the actions taken by the Punjab administration), Gujarat has developed into a drug entry point during the past six to seven years. Only 10% of narcotics were discovered, according to the Narcotics Control Bureau, while 90% found their way into the nation.

The BJP minister responded angrily to Mr Modhwadia’s claim that the majority of the seizures in Gujarat were conducted by central agencies since the Gujarat police did not have a network of informers.

Sanghavi vehemently disagreed with the assertions made by the Congress leader and urged the opposition to avoid “defaming” Gujarat by equating it with Punjab (where the Congress was in power from 2017 to early 2022) in terms of the sale of illicit drugs.

“Why are you disparaging Gujarat for political reasons? Are you equating Punjabi youth with Gujarati youth? Punjab is recognized as the nation’s drug capital by the entire world.

“Gujarat police busted a narcotics network that was being run out of Punjab prisons. The Congress frequently discusses Adani Ports (an Adani group firm). Yet they overlook the fact that our police also seized drugs from the Kolkata port, the man remarked.

Sanghavi refuted Mr Modhwadia’s assertion that the majority of narcotics seizures were carried out by federal authorities, saying that the Gujarat police collaborate closely with them.

The Impact on Society

The seizure of drugs worth over ₹ 5,300 crores is a significant blow to the drug smuggling networks operating in Gujarat. It will disrupt their supply chains and make it more difficult for them to operate in the state. Due to the destructive effects that drug misuse and addiction can have on people, families, and communities, this will, in turn, have a good influence on society.

Also, the government’s measures will send a clear message to those engaged in drug trafficking that such operations won’t be permitted. We can only hope that this serves as a deterrent to others considering engaging in such illicit activity.

Conclusion

The seizure of drugs worth over ₹ 5,300 crores by the Gujarat police is a major achievement in the fight against drug trafficking in India. It shows that the government is taking this issue seriously and is committed to tackling it.

However, there is still a long way to go, and more needs to be done to prevent drug abuse and addiction among the youth. The government must continue to work with law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure that Gujarat remains a safe and drug-free state.

edited and proofread by nikita sharma