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October 2023 witnessed a significant escalation in India's fight against drug trafficking, with authorities across the country reporting a series of major drug busts, resulting in the seizure of narcotics worth an estimated ₹15,000 crore. These operations highlight the increasing efforts to dismantle drug syndicates and combat the growing threat of drug abuse within the country.
One of the most significant seizures occurred in Gujarat, where the Delhi Police's Special Cell and Gujarat Police jointly confiscated 518kg of cocaine, valued at approximately ₹5,000 crore, from a pharmaceutical company's factory in Ankleshwar. This bust, marking the fourth major cocaine seizure in October, underscores the scale and sophistication of international smuggling operations targeting India.
Further evidence of this organized drug trafficking network was uncovered in South Delhi, where the Special Cell seized over 562kg of cocaine and 40kg of hydroponic marijuana, worth an estimated ₹5,620 crore, on October 1. The arrests of six suspects, including two apprehended in Amritsar and Chennai, demonstrate the wide reach of these criminal organizations.
The ingenuity of drug traffickers was highlighted in another bust on October 10, where 208kg of cocaine, valued at ₹2,080 crore, was found concealed in snack packets labeled “Tasty Treat” and “Chatpata Mixture” in a rented shop in West Delhi's Ramesh Nagar. This elaborate concealment method underscores the determination of drug traffickers to evade detection.
Beyond cocaine seizures, authorities also dismantled a major drug-making operation in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on October 6. In a joint effort by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), authorities seized 907kg of mephedrone (MD), worth ₹1,814 crore, from a factory in Bagroda Industrial Estate. The factory, capable of producing 25kg of MD daily, is believed to be the largest illegal drug production unit ever busted by the Gujarat ATS.
These busts highlight the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in India, with authorities demonstrating their commitment to dismantling these criminal networks. The seizures of vast quantities of drugs, the arrests of numerous suspects, and the disruption of drug-making operations signal a concerted effort to curb drug abuse and protect the nation's citizens from the devastating consequences of drug addiction.
Source: Major drug busts in October: Cocaine, MD seized across India in ₹15,000 cr haul | List