Gandhinagar, September 6 (Daily Kiran) : The Gujarat Police have announced plans to establish dedicated ‘Anti-Narcotics Wings’ in every district and commissionerate across the state. These units are expected to begin operations within seven days. This initiative aims to enhance the investigation of crimes under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The decision was made by Director General of Police (DGP) Gyanendra Singh Malik. The new wings will operate similarly to the state-level Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF). This move is part of the state’s intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking and sales, which was officially announced on Sunday.
According to police statistics, Gujarat has recorded over 3,700 cases under the NDPS Act in the past five years, leading to the arrest of 5,346 individuals. During this period, authorities seized more than 136,000 kilograms of narcotics, valued at approximately ₹13,600 crores.
Each Anti-Narcotics Wing will consist of eight personnel, including one police inspector, one sub-inspector, two assistant sub-inspectors or head constables, and four constables. Each unit will also be equipped with a dedicated vehicle and driver.
These units will operate under the direct supervision of the Superintendent of Police (SP) at the district level. In the four major commissionerates, Ahmedabad and Surat will each host two Anti-Narcotics Wings, while Vadodara and Rajkot will have one each. The respective Joint or Additional Commissioner of Police will oversee these units.
The Anti-Narcotics Wings will be designated as special task forces, with no other duties assigned outside of NDPS-related crimes. Their responsibilities will include monitoring identified drug traffickers and hotspots as recognized by the ANTF. They will also propose preventive actions against drug-addicted offenders under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
The formation of these specialized units will not relieve local police stations of their responsibilities in narcotics investigations. However, the police chief has mandated strict disciplinary action against any local officers found negligent during investigations conducted by the Anti-Narcotics Wings.
Malik has previously emphasized that local police must remain accountable for narcotics activities within their jurisdictions, even when cases are uncovered by specialized agencies.
Additionally, Gujarat Police has highlighted its ‘Drug Reward Policy,’ which offers incentives to officers and informants who provide valuable information leading to drug network disruptions. The state has also implemented an ‘out-of-turn promotion’ policy for employees who risk their lives in the line of duty.
Another key aspect of the strategy against narcotics involves the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The police have developed an AI-based software named NARIT to track activities on the dark web, monitor financial transactions, and identify international connections.
To improve conviction rates in drug-related cases, scientific investigative methods are being employed. Alongside law enforcement efforts, the state plans to modernize rehabilitation centers to provide counseling and treatment for youths struggling with addiction. This approach encompasses both actions against drug trafficking networks and rehabilitation measures for those battling substance abuse.
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