Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai
| Photo Credit: ANI/Sansad TV
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday (March 18, 2025) informed the Lok Sabha that drugs worth over ₹11,311 crore were seized in 19 instances from seaports across the country in the past five years.
Responding to a question by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on whether there has been an increase in drug seizures at ports during the last five years, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in a written reply that from 2020-2024, eight cases were reported from Gujarat — three at Adani Port, Mudra, two at CFS, Mundra, two at AV Joshi CFS at Gandhidham, one at Pipavav Port; eight cases were reported from Maharashtra — seven at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Mumbai and one at CFS, Raigarh; one case was reported from Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, two cases were reported from Syama Prasad Mookerjee port at Kolkata in West Bengal. Drugs such as cocaine, heroin, Methamphetamine and Tramadol were seized.
Mr. Gandhi asked about the steps being taken by the government to strengthen port security and prevent drug trafficking through ports.
The Minister’s reply stated, “The seizures at major ports are the result of the effective measures taken in controlling drug trafficking and highlight the successful coordination between the State and Central law enforcement agencies, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and security forces such as the Coast Guard and the Navy. The government has taken various steps to strengthen port security and prevent drug trafficking through ports… constant vigil is being kept at ports and waterways by multiple Central and State agencies, including Customs, DRI, NCB, Navy, Coast Guard, etc across the country to prevent illicit transport of narcotics in India.”
“The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) coordinates with agencies like Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Police to conduct joint operations to control drug trafficking; regular inspections are conducted by port authorities to ensure that all goods, including containers, are properly inspected and cleared before their release; the Coast Guard is providing training to NCB and Port authorities for detection and prevention of drug trafficking; a dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) headed by Additional Director General/ Inspector General level police officer has been established in each State to monitor the investigation of important drug cases, including cases of narco-terrorism; a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) with Director General, NCB as its Chairman has been set up. Till date, nine JCC meetings at the Central level and eight JCC at the State level have been conducted; regular efforts are being made to increase international cooperation for exchange of information and investigative assistance in administering control over the movement of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals,” the Minister said.
Published – March 18, 2025 07:39 pm IST