NCB refines joint strategies against drug trafficking at Gujarat quarterly meet
Ahmedabad, Aug 13
Discussions on strengthening intelligence sharing, financial investigation and coordinated enforcement were held at Narcotics Control Bureau's Second Quarter State-level Joint Coordination Committee Meeting of 2026 for Gujarat, an official said on Thursday.
Manish Kumar, NCB Deputy Director General (Western Region), chaired, and Rajiv Ahir, Intelligence Bureau Additional Director, co-chaired the meeting held on Wednesday, an official statement said.
During the discussions, officials from multiple agencies discussed issues related to follow-up on inter-state and inter-agency linkages, with participating agencies reaffirming their commitment to collaborative efforts against drug trafficking and organised narcotics networks in Gujarat, the statement said.
The NCB presented two significant NDPS cases, discussing the modus operandi, interstate linkages, investigation undertaken and areas requiring coordinated action, while Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) presented an important NDPS case, followed by discussion on the investigation, trafficking pattern and inter-agency linkages.
The participants included senior officers from State Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), DRI, National Investigation Agency (NIA), Customs, Border Security Force (BSF), Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and the State Drug Controller, it said.
Key issues related to the Vision Document on Narcotics Control, Action Taken Report of the previous Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting, significant NDPS cases and inter-state linkages were deliberated, it added.
Earlier, the Second Quarter State-Level Joint Coordination Committee Meetings of 2026 for Madhya Pradesh and Assam discussed strategies to further strengthen coordinated action against drug trafficking and intelligence sharing.
The JCC meeting for Madhya Pradesh was convened in Bhopal and for Assam in Guwahati on Thursday, an official statement said.
The discussions focused on enhancing joint interrogations, financial investigations, coordinated enforcement operations, and cartel dismantling, reaffirming the commitment of all agencies towards a Drug-Free India.
In Bhopal, the JCC meeting was jointly chaired by NCB DDG (Western Region) and Madhya Pradesh ANTF Additional Director General with participation from NIA, SIB, IT, Customs, CBN, RPF, State Prosecution Department, Food and Drug Administration's Office and State Excise, the statement said.
At the Second Quarter State-Level JCC Meeting for Assam, convened in Guwahati, was chaired by R. Sudhakar, NCB Deputy Director General (NER), with participation from ANTF, Customs, CGST, Income Tax, DGGI, SIB, NIA, ED, DRI, Drug Controller, Assam Rifles, BSF, ITBP and District Superintendents of Police, the statement added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is good but the real issue is the demand side. Unless we tackle the addiction problem, trafficking will continue. Punjab's example of Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign should be replicated more effectively. Also, need more rehabilitation centers, especially in rural areas where awareness is low.
Wait, they're holding meetings for the second quarter of 2026? That's future stuff! 😄 But seriously, the drug problem in Gujarat particularly along the Kutch border needs more drones and AI-based surveillance. These sea routes are getting smarter with small boats and even submarine drops. Need tech upgrade!
I hope the "Vision Document on Narcotics Control" includes provisions for protecting informers and their families. In border areas, people who tip off authorities live in constant fear of retaliation from syndicates. The government must ensure witness protection programs are actually implemented on ground, not just in files.
The problem is also that drugs coming through Pakistan via sea route are not just chemical drugs, but synthetic ones that labs are making. A single kg of meth can be made in a small flat. Unless these labs are busted via financial tracking of precursor chemicals, this problem will continue. Good that financial investigation is part of the strategy. 👏
While I appreciate the coordination, I want to point out that so many meetings and no visible results on ground. We still see drugs easily available in some areas of Ahmedabad and Surat. The common man sees zero difference. Instead of just presenting old cases, focus on proactive operations. Just my 2 paise.
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