Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Home Affairs addressed Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3809 on August 12, 2025, regarding illegal drug trafficking in Rajasthan. The response details actions taken by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and Rajasthan Police, including the detection of Mephedrone manufacturing units and arrests. It also outlines steps taken by the Government to prevent drug production, trafficking, and addiction, and measures to counter drug trafficking on international borders.
Key Points / Main Content:
Operations and Arrests:
* A joint operation by the NCB and Rajasthan Police on July 8, 2025, discovered a clandestine Mephedrone manufacturing unit in Barmer district, leading to two arrests under the NDPS Act, 1985.
* In September 2024, the DRI busted a Mephedrone production unit in Barmer, arresting one person; a complaint was filed with the NDPS Special Court, Barmer, on November 6, 2024.
Government Initiatives to Prevent Drug Production and Trafficking:
* A four-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) enhances coordination between Central and State agencies.
* Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTF) have been established in all States/UTs, serving as NCORD secretariats.
* A Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) oversees significant drug seizure investigations.
* Border Guarding Forces and Railway Protection Force are empowered under the NDPS Act for enforcement.
* NCB collaborates with agencies like Navy, Coast Guard, Border Security Force, and State ANTFs for joint operations.
* Electronic scanning of consignments at ports is being implemented.
* NCB provides regular training to officers of Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs).
* Financial assistance is provided to States/UTs to strengthen anti-narcotics units.
* The National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-Offenders (NIDAAN) portal supports investigations.
* Madak Padarth Nished Asoochna Kendra (MANAS), a 24x7 toll-free helpline (1933), has been established.
* NCB has initiated Mission SPANDAN and signed MoUs with organizations to tackle drug abuse through spiritual awareness.
* The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) reaches over 16.49 crore people through 10000+ master volunteers.
* Financial assistance is provided to various rehabilitation centers and facilities across the country.
* A toll-free helpline (14446) provides de-addiction counseling and assistance.
Measures Against Illegal Drug Trafficking on International Boundary:
* Director General Level Talks are organized with neighboring countries.
* Border Guarding Forces are empowered under the NDPS Act for search, seizure, and arrest.
* Bilateral Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding have been signed with multiple countries.
* Anti-drone systems have been deployed to detect drone movements along the border.
* The Indian Coast Guard is empowered under the NDPS Act for interdiction of narcotic drugs.
* The Coast Guard is providing training to NCB and Port Authorities.
Impact Analysis:
Central and State Agencies:
Impact: Required to coordinate more effectively through NCORD and ANTFs to combat drug trafficking.
Action Required: Participate in NCORD meetings, establish and maintain functional ANTFs, and implement coordinated strategies.
Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs):
Impact: Enhanced capacity building and access to resources for more effective drug law enforcement.
Action Required: Participate in training programs offered by NCB and utilize the NIDAAN portal for investigations.
Border Guarding Forces (BSF, Assam Rifles, SSB) and Railway Protection Force:
Impact: Increased responsibility and authority for enforcing the NDPS Act at borders and rail routes.
Action Required: Conduct search, seizure, and arrest operations for illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Indian Coast Guard:
Impact: Expanded role in interdicting narcotic drugs in coastal and high seas.
Action Required: Conduct interdiction operations, provide training to NCB and Port Authorities, and enforce the NDPS Act in maritime areas.
States and Union Territories:
Impact: Opportunity to strengthen anti-narcotics units through financial assistance.
Action Required: Apply for and utilize financial assistance to enhance anti-narcotics efforts.
Citizens:
Impact: Increased access to resources for reporting drug-related issues and seeking help for addiction.
Action Required: Utilize the MANAS helpline (1933) and the de-addiction helpline (14446) for reporting drug-related issues and seeking assistance.
International Community:
Impact: Collaboration through bilateral agreements and MoUs to combat illicit trafficking.
Action Required: Participate in Director General Level Talks and cooperate on initiatives to address drug trafficking.
Key Entities Referenced
Narcotics Control Bureau: A central agency in India responsible for combating drug trafficking.
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence: An intelligence and enforcement agency of the Government of India responsible for preventing smuggling and combating economic crimes.
Barmer district, Rajasthan: A district in the state of Rajasthan, India, where illegal drug trafficking was detected.
NDPS Act, 1985: Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, the primary legislation in India dealing with drugs.
NarcoCoordination Centre NCORD: A four-tier mechanism established to enable coordination among Central and State agencies in India for combating drug trafficking.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan NMBA: A campaign launched in all districts of India to create a drug-free India.
Mephedrone: A synthetic stimulant drug of the amphetamine and cathinone classes.
SHRI NITYANAND RAI: Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3809
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12TH AUGUST, 2025/ SRAVANA 21, 1947 (SAKA)
ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFICKING IN RAJASTHAN
†3809. SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether an operation carried out by the Directorate of Revenue
Intelligence (DRI) and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) detected illegal drug
trafficking in Barmer district of Rajasthan, which is located on the India-
Pakistan border;
(b) if so, the details of the action taken in this regard and the present status
thereof;
(c) the details of the stringent steps taken by the Government to stop the
production of drugs and other narcotic substances and illegal trafficking to
prevent future generation from addiction; and
(d) the details of the action taken against illegal drug trafficking on
international boundary and the quantity of drugs seized in Barmer district
during the last 10 years?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)
(a) & (b): Narcotics Control Bureau Jodhpur Zonal Unit and Rajasthan
Police jointly conducted an operation on 08.07.2025 which led to the
detection of a clandestine Mephedrone (MD) manufacturing unit at Village-
Dholkiya, District Barmer. In this joint operation, a fully functional illicit-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 3809 FOR 12.08.2025
Mephedrone lab was detected and the case was registered under the NDPS
Act, 1985 by Rajasthan Police and two persons were arrested. In addition,
a drug manufacturing unit being used for producing Mephedrone was busted
in September, 2024 at Barmer district, Rajasthan by Directorate of Revenue
Intelligence (DRI) and one person was arrested. A complaint under relevant
provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was
filed by DRI before the NDPS Special Court, Barmer on 06.11.2024.
(c): Government has taken various steps to prevent production and
smuggling of narcotic substances and illegal trafficking to prevent future
generation from addiction, some of which are mentioned below: -
(i) Constituted a 4-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism
which enables coordination among Central and State agencies.
(ii) Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has been established in all
States/UTs, which also serves as NCORD secretariats for local
enforcement.
(iii) A Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) has been set up under the
Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to oversee
significant drug seizure investigations.
(iv) Border Guarding Forces and Railway Protection Force are empowered
under the NDPS Act for enforcement at borders and rail routes.-3-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 3809 FOR 12.08.2025
(v) NCB collaborates with other agencies like Navy, Coast Guard, Border
Security Force, and State ANTFs to carry out joint anti-drug
operations.
(vi) Electronic scanning of consignments at ports is being implemented to
detect drugs.
(vii) To enhance the capacity building, NCB regularly trains officers of Drug
Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs).
(viii) Financial assistance is being provided to eligible States for
strengthening their anti-narcotics units under the scheme “Assistance
to States & UTs”.
(ix) National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-Offenders (NIDAAN)
portal has been launched to support investigations and proactive
policing.
(x) Madak-Padarth Nished Asoochna Kendra (MANAS)- A 24x7 toll-free
helpline (1933) has been established to report drug-related issues via
calls, SMS, chatbot, email, or web.
(xi) To reduce demand, NCB has initiated Mission SPANDAN. MoU has
been signed with 05 organizations to tackle drug abuse & addiction to
Psychotropic substance through spiritually awareness & collective
action.-4-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 3809 FOR 12.08.2025
(xii) Launched Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) in all districts of the
country through more than 10000 master volunteers. It has reached
out to more-than 16.49 crore people including more-than 5.51 crore
youth and 3.43 crore women.
(xiii) Government is providing financial assistance to 352 Integrated
Rehabilitation Centers for Addicts (IRCAs), 46 Community based Peer
Led Intervention (CPLI) Centers, 75 Outreach and Drop In Centers
(ODICs), 148 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs), 138 District De-
addiction Centres (DDACs) across the country.
(xiv) A Toll-free Helpline No.14446 for de-addiction is operated for providing
primary counseling and immediate assistance to persons seeking
help.
(d): District-wise details of drug seizure is not maintained by Narcotics
Control Bureau (NCB). Government has taken various measures against
illegal drug trafficking on international boundary, some of which are as
under:-
(i) Director General Level Talks have been organized with neighboring
countries to resolve various issues relating to drug trafficking having
international implications.-5-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 3809 FOR 12.08.2025
(ii) Border Guarding Forces (BSF, Assam Rifles and SSB) have been
empowered under the NDPS Act 1985 to carry out search, seizure and
arrest for illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs at international border.
(iii) India has signed Bilateral Agreements with 27 countries and
Memorandum of Understanding with 19 countries including
neighboring countries viz; Myanmar, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri
Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan and Nepal for combating illicit trafficking of
NDPS and Chemical Precursors as well as related offences.
(iv) Anti-drone systems have been deployed to detect drone movements
along the border.
(v) The Indian Coast Guard has been empowered under the Narcotic Drugs
& Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 for making interdiction of
narcotic drugs in coastal and high seas.
(vi) The Coast Guard is providing training to NCB and Port Authorities to
detect and prevent drug trafficking.
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