Zero tolerance policy against drug traffickers in force: Centre

New Delhi, Aug 4: The Centre on Tuesday said it has adopted an intelligence-led, technology-driven and “zero tolerance” approach to tackle drug trafficking, unveiling a three-year roadmap that focuses on dismantling organised narcotics networks, curbing online drug trade and creating drug-free campuses across the country.
In separate replies to questions in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, said the government is strengthening anti-narcotics surveillance, interstate coordination and financial investigations while enhancing action against organised drug syndicates under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Rai said interstate narcotics trafficking is continuously monitored through intelligence gathering, operational surveillance and coordination among the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), state anti-narcotics agencies and other central and state enforcement bodies.
He said trafficking routes remain dynamic and no state can be categorised as a permanent transit route, with enforcement agencies continuously reviewing evolving trends and sharing actionable intelligence through the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism.
The minister said the government has strengthened coordination through a four-tier NCORD mechanism, an integrated NCORD portal, Joint Coordination Committee meetings and the National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-Offenders (NIDAAN) to facilitate intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement.
He said financial investigations have been intensified to identify and attach proceeds of crime, while the provisions of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act are being effectively invoked against habitual offenders.
Responding to another question on the government’s “Zero Tolerance” policy against drug traffickers, Rai said the Ministry of Home Affairs released the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026-2029) on June 26 this year, outlining a three-year roadmap with time-bound targets to combat drug trafficking and drug abuse through a “Whole-of-Government” and “Whole-of-Society” approach.
The minister said the NCB and other drug law enforcement agencies are conducting intelligence-led operations, strengthening investigations into narco-terrorism and organised crime, and enhancing coordination with state police, the Border Security Force and other agencies.
“The government has also intensified efforts to counter technology-enabled drug trafficking by deploying cyber experts to investigate darknet-based drug networks, encrypted communication platforms and cryptocurrency transactions used by traffickers,” he said.
Rai said specialised training programmes are being organised for enforcement agencies in collaboration with international partners, while India has strengthened cooperation on narcotics control through bilateral agreements and regular meetings with several countries.
The government has also launched the 24×7 National Narcotics Helpline “MANAS”, accessible through the toll-free number 1933, email, web portal and the UMANG mobile application to enable citizens to report drug-related activities, he said.
The minister said the government is implementing “Mission Drug Free Campus” in educational institutions across the country to sensitise students against drug abuse.
He added that the Vision Document also envisages creating “Drug-Free Campuses” with a focus on a 500-metre radius around educational institutions, along with awareness campaigns, counselling, community participation and consent-based screening as part of student wellness programmes in centrally funded higher educational institutions. (KNO)