How disposal of seized heroin in huge quantities has become an equally big task

While India’s largest drug seizure of 3,004 kilograms of heroin from Gujarat’s Mundra port has become a major concern for the intelligence and investigating agencies, the recent government data shows that a sizable amount of the drug has already been pumped in the country. Data shows that almost every hour Indian agencies or local police seize heroin and register a case against its smugglers. According to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), during January — July this year, various agencies, including state police, Excise, customs etc. have seized 2,865 kilograms of heroin and 4,101 cases have been registered. Notably, this is just the provisional data and once real numbers come in from states, this figure is bound to go up. What is more concerning is that officials estimate that seized quantum of drugs is just one part of which gets pumped into the system and most of it actually gets sold even before police and other agencies act against the menace. Data also hint that the pandemic has hardly had any impact on the illegal drugs business in the country. Rather, this year, the seized quantum of drugs is substantially higher than the seizure made during same period last year. In 2020, a total of 3,835 kgs of heroin seized from across the country by all law enforcement agencies. Last year, a total of 9,112 cases were registered against heroin smugglers and peddlers.

“There is no place where these smugglers don’t sell drugs, heroin is an expensive drug but easily available. During the investigation, we have found that youth with the age of 15 to 30 are the target buyers and consume drugs. It includes college and school going students as well," a senior NCB official told News 18. Data say that there is also a rise in the seizure of heroin in India. In 2019, a total of 3,231 kgs of heroin were seized, which saw a jump of more than 15% in seizures next year. In 2017 and 2018, close to 2,100 kgs and 1,250 kgs heroin consignments were seized. Investigators claimed that the total quantity of all types of drugs seized by law enforcement agencies this year till July is more than 3,07,800 kilograms. Disposal of seized drugs isan issue After seizing drugs, all law enforcement agencies with due permission dispose of drugs. But this year, there is hardly any disposal of drugs in comparison to last year. Last year, the government disposed of 6,671 kilograms of heroin but this year only 26 kgs of heroin have been disposed of. Similarly, this year, 95 kilograms of Opium were disposed of not even 10 per cent of the total disposal of this drug done last year.

“The process of disposing of drugs is very time-consuming. Permissions from the court are required in the process and after getting it, agencies can dispose of seized drugs. Sometimes courts give special permission as well," a senior official claimed. State police play the most important role State police forces are playing the most important role in curbing the drug menace. According to the data of NCB, maximum seizures have been done by state police and the highest number of cases have been registered by stares only. Officials claimed that even central government agencies rely on state police. “States police are like backbone in curbing drugs menace. They have an excellent ground network and help us in tracking ground workers. Data says that this year till July, states’ police seized 1, 981 kilograms of Heroin out of total 2,865 kgs heroin seized by all agencies.