Ahmedabad: In 2024, narcotic and psychotropic drugs valued at a staggering Rs 7,303 crore were seized in Gujarat. For a state that prides itself on its Gandhian legacy of prohibition, it finds itself at the crossroads of a different battle.
Authorities insist that most of these shipments were meant for Punjab, but experts warn that the shadow of drug consumption may be creeping closer to Gujarat’s borders. Gujarat has seen a rise in the local sale of mephedrone, hinting at consumption. Last year, 1,882 kg of mephedrone was seized in three major offences spanning across the three states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
Of the total seizures made here, drugs worth Rs 6,871 crore were seized by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), either independently or in collaboration with other agencies such as the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Indian Navy, and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
In total, 24,000 kg of narcotics were confiscated, and 848 individuals were booked under 582 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, according to Gujarat police data.
DIG Sunil Joshi of Gujarat ATS clarified that most drugs were not destined for Gujarat but were meant for Punjab. “Our mid-sea operations show that none of the heroin or cocaine shipments were intended for Gujarat. Our investigations show that all of them were routed to Punjab,” he said.
He added that Gujarat has not exhibited a significant trend in the consumption of high-profile drugs like heroin or cocaine. “Small consignments, such as a few kilograms of ganja, were intended for Gujarat,” he said, also pointing to the local manufacturing and consumption of mephedrone in the state.
Experts believe Gujarat’s sprawling coastline and large ports make it an attractive transit hub for smugglers. A senior police officer said, “Its sea routes make it the first choice for unloading shipments destined for other states.”
However, a central agency official cautioned against dismissing the possibility of drug consumption within Gujarat. “If drugs like heroin and cocaine have started entering the state, one cannot rule out their local consumption in this dry state,” the official remarked.