Drug money is endangering security and economy: Shah

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Last Updated27/08/2024

Home Minister inaugurates zonal office of Narcotics Control Bureau in Raipur and says consumption of contraband in Chhattisgarh is higher than the national average

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah virtually inaugurated the new zonal office of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on August 25, 2024.
During the inauguration, Mr. Shah highlighted the concerning levels of drug consumption in Chhattisgarh, noting that the state's usage of sedatives and cannabis is above the national average, with sedative use at 1.45% and cannabis use at 4.98%.

Mr. Shah reaffirmed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to achieving a drug-free India by 2047, stressing that drug abuse not only destroys the youth but also threatens national security and the economy.
He pointed out that the profits from the illicit drug trade often fund terrorism and left-wing extremism.

Reflecting on the NCB's performance, Mr. Shah provided a comparative analysis of the agency's achievements over the past decade (2014-2024) compared to the previous one (2004-2014).
There was a 230% increase in registered cases, rising from 1,250 to 4,150 cases, and arrests surged from 1,360 to 6,300. Seizures of drugs also saw a significant jump, with the quantity increasing from 1,52,000 kg to 5,43,000 kg—a 257% rise.
The value of the drugs seized escalated from ₹5,900 crore to ₹22,000 crore during the same period.

Mr. Shah underscored the importance of employing scientific methods in drug trafficking investigations and emphasized a comprehensive approach to dismantle drug networks from both top-down and bottom-up.
He expressed confidence that the newly inaugurated Raipur zonal office would be pivotal in combating narcotics not only in Chhattisgarh but throughout the region.
He also mentioned the government's goal to establish an NCB presence in every state.

Later in the day, Mr. Shah chaired a meeting focused on the expansion of cooperatives in Chhattisgarh and launched Primary Agriculture Credit Society (PACS) in 33 districts across the state.