It is not so easy for a State having a history of militancy, influx of illegal migrants, sharing border with two neighbouring countries, to initiate effective action against the drugs menace. But, Assam has shown that resolute action can yield results. In the past over two years, Assam has kind of waged a war against the drugs menace, and the results are astounding.

 

 

 

Here is a sample of two important statistics: From May 10, 2021 to October 30, 2023, Assam Police have recorded recovery of contrabands with estimated market value of a whopping Rs 1,794.05 crore, and most of the seized substances (worth Rs 1,707.31 crore) have been destroyed too! This is enviable considering that even the progressive and bigger States often shy away from initiating focussed action against drugs menace despite vast networks of synthetic and other drugs operating there. The two biggest sources of narcotics in the world are known infamously as ‘Golden Triangle’ of Laos-Vietnam-Myanmar to the east of India, and ‘Golden Crescent’ of Afghanistan and Pakistan to the west of India. Assam Police refers to the ‘Golden Triangle’ as ‘Black Triangle’, and the Assam Rifles refers to it as ‘Death Triangle’.

 

In the recent past, this ‘Golden Triangle’ has gained notoriety for exporting synthetic drugs, for which the biggest markets in the world are North America and West Europe. Often, the drugs come to India from Myanmar via Manipur or from Nagaland to Manipur, then to Assam, from where it enters West Bengal and then transported elsewhere. But, owing to conflict in Manipur, this supply chain has been disrupted for quite some time now. Though the drugs trade has not come to a halt, it has been affected. Assam Police had started their crackdown on drugs menace from May 2021. Since then, till October 30, official data reveals, Assam Police have registered 7,348 cases, arrested 12,229 persons, seized 317 kg of heroin, 90,637 kg of ganja (marijuana), 336 kg of opium, 36 kg of morphine, 3,318 kg of poppy straw, 21 kg crystal methamphetamine, 1 kg cocaine, 213 kg cannabis plant, 0.56 kg of tramadol, 10 kg raw opium bud, 2 kg mephedrone etc. During the same period, the cops have seized Rs 4,90,50,994/- cash apart from foreign currency, destroyed cannabis cultivation in 31 bigha, and also destroyed opium cultivation in a whopping 658 bigha. As far as the number of cases registered under Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act are concerned, the number was 826 in 2019, 980 in 2020. But, in 2021, the number more than doubled to 2,271, followed by 2,878 in 2022. In the current year, till October 30, Assam Police have registered 2,598 cases under NDPS Act.

 

The action has not been restricted to seizure, but the seized drugs have been destroyed too to a great extent. For instance, out of 317 kg of heroin seized, 247.839 kg has been destroyed. Similarly, a huge quantity of ganja, cough syrups, tablets/capsules, opium, morphine etc have been destroyed. The total worth of destroyed drugs is Rs 1,707.31 crore. Assam Police have focussed not only on destroying the drugs network through arrests and cases, but have frozen properties of those involved. So far, 25 preventive detentions have been done under PIT-NDPS Act. Under the legal provisions, properties worth Rs 19,91,11,769.90/- have been frozen. Under Section 68F of the NDPS Act, 77 freezing orders have been applied since May 10, 2021. Of these, total 13 orders got confirmed. But, the Assam Government and Assam Police both realise that taking action against drugs traffickers and networks has to go hand in hand with the public outreach. So, there are awareness campaigns.

 

Also, there is ‘Drugs Free Assam’ mobile phone application. Though e-FSL module, the forensic science laboratory reports are uploaded online in real-time to expedite the further action. In NDPS cases, Assam Police have developed a mechanism wherein SMS alert is sent on submission of chargesheet. Further, Assam Police conduct online workshops on drugs trade and ‘Dark Web’ and other aspects relating to NDPS Act cases. These are being considered as the best practices in law enforcement relating to drugs cases. A right step in right direction yields desired results, it is said. Assam appears to have taken that right step in right direction. Probably, it may lead to a future when it may reap great demographic dividend in the form of healthy younger generation. (To be continued)