New Delhi, Sept 16 (UNI) In a strong message aimed at tightening the noose around international drug syndicates and fugitive criminals, union Home Minister Amit Shah today emphasised the urgent need for expediting both deportation and extradition processes.
Addressing the 2nd National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) heads of states and union Territories here, Shah underlined that those fuelling drug trafficking and operating from foreign soil must be swiftly brought under the ambit of Indian law.
Praising the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for its efforts in this field, Shah called for coordinated and collective action stating that curbing narcotics not only addresses drug abuse but also weakens the funding channels for terrorism and organized crime.
Shah further stressed that while criminals deserve no leniency, India must adopt a more pragmatic and liberal approach to the procedures involved in their deportation. Adding that the Home Ministry is preparing a SOP for the same.
He outlined the government’s intensified crackdown on drug trafficking, stating that arrests at the retail level are now being used as a strategic tool to dismantle the entire narcotics network operating in the country. He said the focus has shifted to targeting all three levels of drug cartels.
“Now, by arresting those involved in the retail trade of drugs, efforts are being made not only to reduce drug trafficking but also to strike a severe blow to all three types of cartels,” Shah said.
He detailed the three layers of the drug distribution network: cartels that operate at India’s entry points, syndicates responsible for distributing drugs from those points to different states and the local-level networks that manufacture and sell small packets (pudiyas) through paan shops and street corners.
Shah emphasized that this multi-pronged approach is essential for eliminating the drug menace, which he linked directly to the funding of terrorism and other organized crimes.
He said, “In this fight against drugs, we must move forward with a three-pronged strategy. We need a ruthless approach for breaking the drug supply chain, a strategic approach for reducing demand and a humane approach for harm reduction. The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) must advance with all three approaches”.
Hailing the NDA government in dealing with drug menace Shah said, “During the UPA government, drugs worth Rs 40,000 crore were seized, whereas under the NDA government, drugs worth Rs 1.65 lakh crore have been seized in the past 10 years. Which is a significant achievement”.
While calling for a united and comprehensive national effort to combat the growing menace of drug trafficking, Shah said that India’s proximity to major global drug-producing regions, combined with its large and young population, makes coordinated action even more urgent.
“This area from where drugs are supplied to the whole world is close to us, and our country has a huge youth population. That’s why it’s important we work together,” Shah stressed.
He further added that the goal in the fight against drugs is not to create record-breaking statistics. “Our aim is to build such an India where the need to record such figures doesn’t arise in the first place. This will be possible through a top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top approach,” he said.
The Home Minster said that the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has a decisive role in the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (Drug-Free India Campaign). This campaign cannot succeed until every district, every district police unit, and every district education officer becomes fully aware and sensitive towards its goals.
He said that today, at around 11 locations across the country, approximately 1.37 lakh kg of narcotic substances, worth around Rs 4,800 crore are being destroyed.
Shah said that Prime Minister Modi has envisioned the creation of a great India by 2047 — a nation that will be the foremost in the world in every field. An India that will be fully developed, with such impenetrable walls of security that no one could even imagine breaching them.
“If we are to build such a great India, then it is absolutely essential to protect our young generation from the menace of drugs,” Shah said.
Present on the occasion were union Home Secretary Goving Mohan, Director, Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Director General Narcotics Control Bureau and other senior officials.
The 2-day conference will serve as a strategic platform to reinforce the government’s commitment to a drug-free India and to formulate a roadmap to achieve this goal.
The theme of the conference being organised by NCB is “United Resolve, Shared Responsibility”. The conference will hold a comprehensive review and analysis of the collective efforts made by all stakeholders in combating the drug menace in the country and deliberate on the future roadmap.
Detailed deliberations on various facets of drug supply, demand reduction and harm reduction, including their national security implications and steps to be taken for strengthening drug law enforcement in the country, will also take place during the event, apart from the need for a whole-of-government approach required to address the menace.
On the occasion, drugs worth Rs 4,794 crore were destroyed to mark the inauguration of a drug-destruction drive.
Shah calls for swift deportation and extradition of drug traffickers operating from abroad
