HM Amit Shah: Government to amend NDPS Act to close loopholes used by drug syndicates

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Centre will amend the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act to eliminate loopholes exploited by drug trafficking networks and strengthen India's fight against narcotics.

Addressing the 10th apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) in New Delhi, Shah urged state governments to submit suggestions on the proposed amendments, which are being prepared by the Finance Ministry. He said the changes aim to make the anti-drug law more effective against organised narco syndicates.

Highlighting the government's anti-drug efforts, Shah said India seized 1.18 crore kilograms of synthetic drugs between 2014 and 2026, compared to 26 lakh kilograms seized between 2004 and 2014. He also noted that the value of drugs confiscated during the 2014–2026 period stood at around Rs 1.84 lakh crore, significantly higher than the Rs 40,000 crore worth seized in the previous decade.

The Home Minister stressed the need for a tough and uncompromising approach against drug peddlers and suppliers. He also called on states to ensure real-time information sharing through digital portals developed by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), enabling better coordination and monitoring of drug-related cases.

Shah urged chief secretaries and directors general of police to make NCORD meetings more result-oriented by reviewing the implementation of decisions taken at previous meetings and ensuring stronger coordination between central and state agencies in the fight against drug trafficking.