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🇮🇳 India /Crime & Justice

India sees over 50% surge in drug cases amid intensified crackdown

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • India registered a nearly 53% surge in drug cases in 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching a five-year high.
  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced intensified crackdowns on trafficking networks and strengthened measures against drug abuse, aiming for a drug-free India by 2047.
  • Drug seizures increased to 1,240 tonnes, with cannabis products making up 51% of the total, and the government highlighted significant increases in seizures compared to the previous decade.

India's law enforcement agencies registered a sharp 53% increase in drug cases in 2025, marking the steepest rise in five years, according to the Narcotics Control Bureau’s Annual Report 2025. This surge aligns with the government's intensified campaign to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of a drug-free India by 2047.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a three-year Vision Document on Drug Control (2026-2029), vowing to intensify crackdowns on drug trafficking networks and bolster measures to curb drug abuse. "We must adopt a ruthless approach towards drug traffickers while maintaining a sympathetic approach towards the affected youth," Shah stated.

The report detailed that 148,063 cases were registered in 2025, leading to 183,675 arrests and the seizure of 1,240 tonnes of narcotics valued at ₹18,227 crore. Cannabis products constituted 51% of these seizures, followed by opiates at 29%. The number of cases and arrests have steadily climbed since 2021, with state police forces handling the vast majority of cases.

Shah contrasted the current government's anti-drug enforcement record with that of the previous UPA administration, claiming significantly higher drug seizures in value and quantity between 2014-2026 compared to 2004-2014. He expressed confidence in making substantial progress in eliminating drug networks within the next three years.

The report identified four major drug trafficking corridors into India, including the Golden Crescent and the Golden Triangle. Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat are primary entry points for heroin and hashish from the Golden Crescent, while northeastern states are increasingly vulnerable to trafficking from the Golden Triangle, with Myanmar now surpassing Afghanistan as the largest illicit opium producer. The report also flagged a rise in drone-based drug smuggling along the India-Pakistan border.

We must adopt a ruthless approach towards drug traffickers while maintaining a sympathetic approach towards the affected youth.

— Amit ShahUnion Home Minister Amit Shah outlined the government's strategy for combating drug abuse.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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