NCB Chief Anurag Garg Engages with Village Leaders in Punjab to Combat Drug Trafficking

New Delhi, February 23: Anurag Garg, the Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), met with village leaders from the border areas of Amritsar district in Punjab. He sought their active support to strengthen the campaign against drug trafficking and substance abuse.

During the discussions, Garg emphasized the need for a collective societal effort to address the drug problem. He highlighted the crucial role local residents can play in preventing trafficking and protecting youth from addiction.

He urged village elders and community leaders to encourage young people to stay away from drugs and participate in sports and other positive activities. Garg assured them that the NCB would fully support community initiatives related to awareness, prevention, and rehabilitation.

While meeting with the villagers, Garg encouraged the sarpanches to promote the ‘Maanas’ helpline (1933) for reporting drug trafficking and accessing rehabilitation assistance.

This initiative is part of the NCB’s broader strategy to enhance grassroots collaboration in border areas, which are considered sensitive for cross-border drug trafficking.

Earlier, Garg participated in the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi, where he reviewed new AI-based technologies aimed at curbing drug trafficking. Officials briefed him on modern technical tools that can assist in identifying and monitoring trafficking networks.

In a separate message, Garg reaffirmed the NCB’s commitment to eradicating drug trafficking and substance abuse in the country. He stated that the agency operates on multiple levels, including intelligence gathering, enforcement actions, rehabilitation support, and awareness campaigns.

He noted that the NCB is strengthening coordination between central and state agencies while also collaborating with international partners to secure India’s borders against illegal drug trafficking.

Garg mentioned that in recent years, the NCB has significantly curtailed drug-related crimes through stringent actions, improved coordination, and the use of modern technology. The success of this fight depends on the collective responsibility of law enforcement agencies, society, and the general public.