Gujarat Police have seized over 1.36 lakh kilograms of narcotic substances valued at more than ₹13,600 crore and arrested 5,346 individuals in drug trafficking cases over the past five years, state officials announced on 26 June 2026 — the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The disclosures underscore the scale of Gujarat's sustained anti-narcotics campaign targeting both domestic networks and international smuggling corridors.

Key Figures from Five Years of Operations

Director General of Police G.S. Malik said more than 3,700 cases related to the trafficking and trade of narcotic substances had been registered over the five-year period, resulting in the arrest and imprisonment of 5,346 accused persons. He added that the seizures — spanning 1.36 lakh kilograms of drugs — had been made through a series of strategic operations. Malik said the sustained enforcement had 'broken the backbone of international drug smuggling networks.'

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said Gujarat Police's operations had significantly disrupted trafficking routes. 'Today, mafias involved in the drug trade are afraid to transport their consignments to other states through Gujarat,' he said.

Policy Reforms Driving Enforcement

Gujarat has introduced several structural changes to sharpen its anti-narcotics machinery. The state became the first in India to implement a formal Drug Reward Policy, offering financial incentives to police personnel who expose major drug networks and to citizens and informants who provide credible intelligence. Police officers who risk their lives dismantling international drug rackets are also eligible for out-of-turn promotions.

An Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has been established to target international supply chains, and local police stations have been authorised to register and directly investigate narcotics cases — a function previously reserved for specialised units such as the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Special Operations Group (SOG). Dedicated anti-narcotics cells are being set up in every district, including in remote villages.

AI-Powered Offender Profiling

Officials said the state has developed an artificial intelligence-based software system named 'NARIT' for profiling offenders and tracking criminal networks. According to police, the system analyses criminal records, financial transactions, international links, and digital connections to strengthen cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The deployment of such technology marks a notable shift from reactive enforcement to predictive policing in the narcotics domain.

Rising Case Numbers and Rehabilitation Push

Police data show that 315 narcotics cases were registered in Gujarat in 2020. In the first five months of 2026 alone, 584 cases have already been registered — a near-doubling of the annual baseline. Officials attributed the increase to stronger surveillance and enforcement rather than a spike in drug activity itself.

Sanghavi stressed that enforcement was only one dimension of the state's response. 'This fight is not limited to arresting criminals; it is also about safely rescuing the youth of the state who have fallen into the trap of addiction,' he said. The government has strengthened and modernised de-addiction centres, providing counselling and medical treatment to help affected individuals reintegrate into mainstream society. With case registrations accelerating and institutional reforms deepening, Gujarat's anti-narcotics framework is being positioned as a replicable model for other states.