Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday called for coordinated and decisive action to dismantle drug-trafficking networks across India, setting December 31, 2029, as the government’s target for uprooting the country’s drug trade. He made the remarks while inaugurating the third National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) heads from states and Union Territories in New Delhi.
Shah said the fight against narcotics must move beyond a seizure-focused approach and concentrate on dismantling entire networks, including their financial and digital links. He urged enforcement agencies to move from meetings to missions, reporting to measurable results, seizures to network dismantling and cases to convictions.
The two-day conference is being attended by ANTF heads from all 36 States and Union Territories, along with representatives of central government departments and other stakeholders. Discussions are focused on implementing the Vision Document on Narcotics Control 2026-2029 and strengthening coordination between central and state agencies.
Shah identified several emerging challenges, including synthetic drugs, diversion of precursor chemicals, darknet-based trafficking, cryptocurrency transactions, new communication technologies and international drug networks. He called for specialised teams in every state to develop strategies for tackling these evolving forms of narcotics trafficking.
The Home Minister also called for stronger financial investigations and tracing of digital links associated with drug networks. He said authorities should target cartels at three levels: points where drugs enter the country, interstate distribution networks and local sales networks within districts.
As part of the broader roadmap, the government has identified four major areas of action: intelligence and operations-based enforcement; control of precursor and synthetic drugs; demand reduction, harm reduction and rehabilitation; and capacity building and coordination. The roadmap also envisages greater cooperation between the Narcotics Control Bureau and State and UT-level ANTFs.
Shah said awareness among young people would also be expanded. According to the government, Nashamukt Mitras will visit schools, colleges and other institutions to raise awareness about drug abuse. The Home Minister also emphasised the importance of rehabilitation and community participation alongside enforcement measures.
During the event, Shah launched the revamped Narcotics Control Bureau website and released television commercials aimed at creating awareness about drug abuse. Foundation stones were also laid for new NCB zonal office and residential complexes in Lucknow and a new zonal office complex in Dehradun.
The government says the 2026-2029 roadmap is intended to establish clear targets, timelines and accountability for agencies involved in narcotics control, with
