Bharuch, July 20, 2026
Gujarat authorities on Monday destroyed narcotics worth Rs 2,153 crore seized in 867 cases across the state, as Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said sustained action by the police had disrupted international drug smuggling networks and that efforts would continue to strengthen prosecution and convictions in narcotics cases.
The destruction exercise was carried out at Enviro Infrastructure Limited’s facility at Dahej in Bharuch district under the state government’s anti-drug campaign.
Sanghavi, accompanied by members of the Drug Disposal Committee, inspected the seized contraband before it was scientifically destroyed in an environmentally safe manner under the Centre’s “Drug-Free India” campaign and its zero-tolerance policy towards narcotics.
From Dahej, Sanghavi also virtually launched a parallel narcotics destruction programme at Lakadia village in Bhachau taluka of Kutch district.
According to the state government, the destroyed stock comprised 13,249.127 kg of narcotic substances and 5,71,028 bottles seized by 24 investigative units across Gujarat. The seizures were made in 867 cases with an estimated total value of Rs 2,153 crore.
The destruction covered seizures made by Bharuch, Narmada, Surat Rural, Surat City, Navsari, Tapi-Vyara, Dahod, Chhota Udepur, Panchmahal, Dang-Ahwa, Valsad, Vadodara Rural, Vadodara City, Anand, Kheda-Nadiad, Ahmedabad Rural, Ahmedabad City, Gandhinagar, Mehsana and Sabarkantha police, as well as the Western Railway police in Vadodara and Ahmedabad, the CID Crime branch and the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS).
Later, at Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL) in Dahej, Sanghavi released the ‘NDPS Handbook’, prepared by the Gujarat Police’s Anti-Narcotics Task Force to provide investigating officers with guidance on handling cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and to strengthen enforcement of the law.
The police department also screened an awareness video on the “Drug-Free Gujarat” campaign, a short film featuring testimonies of rehabilitated drug addiction survivors and a presentation on anti-drug initiatives.
Addressing the programme, Sanghavi said drugs remained “the biggest social evil” confronting society and praised Gujarat Police for its anti-narcotics operations.
“Today, the biggest social evil in society is drugs. The manner in which Gujarat Police is fighting this menace is truly commendable,” he said.
He said the force had achieved significant success in dismantling the methods used by criminals operating through maritime routes, along the India-Pakistan border and across other states.
“Gujarat Police have taken strong action against drug mafias and cartels, breaking the backbone of international drug smuggling networks. For the past one and a half years, this campaign has been fought like a war, resulting in the seizure of drugs worth thousands of crores of rupees,” Sanghavi said.
Referring to prosecution outcomes, he said the conviction rate in drug-related cases in Gujarat was “around 65 per cent”, adding that the government was working to raise it further.
“In the coming days, the strictest possible legal action will be taken to ensure there are no loopholes for those connected with drug networks,” he said.
Sanghavi also highlighted the police’s rehabilitation efforts, saying information gathered during investigations was being used to identify young people affected by drug addiction so that they and their families could receive counselling and support.
Appealing for wider public participation, he said: “A drug-free state could be achieved only if citizens and social organisations joined the police in combating narcotics.”
During the event, the state government honoured 278 police personnel for their work in 21 major narcotics cases under its ‘Drugs Reward Policy’. A total reward of Rs 59.42 lakh was distributed.(Agency)
FOLLOW NOW
