Drug seizures in J&K declines sharply since 2021: MHA

New Delhi, Feb 3: Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday informed the Parliament that seizure of narcotic substances in Jammu and Kashmir has declined sharply over the past five years, particularly in opium-based drugs.
Data tabled in the Lok Sabha by the MHA substantiated its claims.
The data, compiled by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) from reports submitted by various Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, covers the period from 2020 to 2025, with figures for 2025 available up to November.
In 2021, Jammu and Kashmir recorded the highest seizure of opium-based drugs during the period at 19,405 kg. Cannabis-based drugs seized during the year stood at 1,617 kg, while no cocaine or synthetic drugs were reported.
In 2023, seizures of opium-based drugs in the Union Territory fell to 8,927 kg, while cannabis-based drugs seized were 1,379 kg. During the year, 1 kg of cocaine and 0.16 kg of synthetic drugs were also seized.
The downward trend continued in 2024, with seizures of opium-based drugs declining further to 3,676 kg and cannabis-based drugs to 1,540 kg. The seizure of synthetic drugs during the year stood at 3 kg, while no cocaine was reported.
In 2025, up to November, seizures dropped to 2,062 kg of opium-based drugs and 1,957 kg of cannabis-based drugs. No cocaine or synthetic drugs were seized in Jammu and Kashmir during the period, the data showed.
The government informed Parliament that while the NCB regularly conducts joint operations with Central and State agencies, no separate consolidated data is maintained on drug trafficking networks or modules busted through joint operations on a year-wise or State-wise basis.
On funding, the government said Jammu and Kashmir did not receive any financial assistance under the centrally sponsored scheme ‘Assistance to States/UTs for Narcotic Control’ during the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
The government said it has taken multiple steps to curb narcotics trafficking, especially across international borders, including empowering the Border Security Force and other border guarding forces under the NDPS Act to carry out search, seizure and arrest.
It said upgraded surveillance grids equipped with AI-based features, radars, electro-optic devices, night vision devices and motion detectors have been installed along border areas, with integration into command and control centres.
The government further said drone-based capabilities have been institutionalised for aerial surveillance and reconnaissance, while intelligence sharing and controlled delivery operations are being carried out with foreign countries.
India has signed bilateral agreements with 27 countries and memorandums of understanding with 19 countries to combat illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical precursors, the government added. (KNO)