‘Exit-route to small-time peddlers, crackdown on big fish of drug trade’ – how Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau plans its roadmap for 2024

The HSNCB is aiming to further intensify its awareness campaigns including ‘Hriday Parivartan Karyakram’ (change of heart) through the ‘Namak-Lota Abhiyaan’ (pledge in front of elders to stay off drugs) to wean away such traffickers from drug peddling. The HSNCB plans to hold at least one program in the worst-affected villages every day throughout the upcoming year. Slogan-shouting rounds of the village before assembling at a place, local artists playing the ‘Ram Gurukul Gaman’ street plays to educate people and educating drug addicts about the government’s welfare programmes for BPL people, among a few other awareness programmes, are set to be launched full-scale from the beginning of 2024.

“For the reduction of the supply-chains of drugs and other psychotropic substances, an all-around assault on commercial drug traffickers shall be launched through aggressive detection, prosecution, preventive detention, property attachment and bulldozer for razing the constructions made by them through ill-gotten proceeds of crime”, said HSNCB Chief Additional Director General of Police O P Singh.

“Till December 2023, the Haryana Police registered 3,757 FIRs under the NDPS Act and arrested 5,350 people. The haul of drugs seized from them included 590 kg charas, 4,950 kg ganja, 5 kg hashish, 34 kg heroin, 235 kg morphine, 310 kg opium, 42 kg sulfa, and 33,602 kg poppy husk. Among the top-performing districts were Sirsa which registered 582 cases and arrested 766 drug traffickers, followed by Faridabad with 352 cases and 438 arrests, and Gurugram with 263 cases and 336 arrests,” ADGP Singh said.

Giving more details about the crackdown on major drug traffickers, ADGP Singh added, “At least 45 habitual offenders were detained for one year under the PIT-NDPS Act. Properties valued at Rs 46 crore belonging to 82 drug traffickers were forfeited under the NDPS Act. Eighty-six encroachments by another 80 drug traffickers were demolished during the year. All commercial quantity cases were covered under speedy prosecution. Forensic Science Laboratory reports for all such cases were received within the deadline of 15 days.”

Top HSNCB officials are of the view that “the end-consumers who are also called peddlers/consumers need to be educated and medically treated. Throwing them behind bars and tagging them as criminals is not going to solve the drug-abuse problem. Thus, the Haryana Police plan to provide such small and intermediate quantity offenders with an exit rope in the form of the government’s welfare programs. It is necessary to do so, as in certain cases the entire family was found involved in drug trafficking.”

In 2023, the HSNCB held around 2,000 anti-drug awareness programs that witnessed the participation of over 10 lakh people.

“In the first week of the new year, the HSNCB shall be rolling out its educational escape room – Chakravyuh – at DAV Police Public School, Ambala, to educate students about obstacles that they may face in life but yet should continue to grow into productive adults by avoiding drugs, delinquency and distraction besides mastering professional skills in line with one’s aptitude as well ability to work with others (interpersonal skills),” ADGP Singh said.

“As Haryana moves into 2024, its approach towards drug trafficking – marked by aggressive enforcement against commercial traffickers, significant drug seizures, preventive detentions, and innovative demand reduction strategies – positions it as a model for effective drug control. The state’s balanced strategy of combining forceful action with culturally resonant and educational initiatives showcases a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to tackling the drug menace. This blend of enforcement and preventive measures is a testament to Haryana’s commitment to creating a drug-free society,” ADGP Singh told The Indian Express.