Ahmedabad, Dec 22 (NationPress) The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has escalated its efforts against narcotics, filing eight new cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in just three days. This initiative is part of a robust enforcement operation aimed at dismantling the city's drug distribution network, according to officials on Monday.

Officials stated that the operation, conducted over a 72-hour period, targeted not only street-level drug dealers but also aimed to disrupt financial connections and identify habitual offenders involved in illegal activities.

Various teams were mobilized throughout the city to perform targeted inspections, surveillance, and intelligence-driven interventions.

During this operation, over 30 known drug dealers were apprehended and underwent thorough background checks and questioning.

The Crime Branch also initiated cases concerning the sale of “Gogo” rolling papers, smoking kits, and illegal e-cigarettes, demonstrating a zero-tolerance policy towards both prohibited substances and items that facilitate drug usage.

In a strategic move to undermine the logistical aspects of drug trafficking, the Crime Branch has launched two preliminary inquiries (Janva Jog) specifically addressing narco-financial operations.

Investigators discovered that drug dealers are increasingly utilizing fake SIM cards and forged banking information to execute transactions while evading detection.

As a result of these findings, the police have begun applying additional sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to cheating and forgery against the suspects, ensuring that legal repercussions extend beyond the NDPS Act violations.

While enforcement is the primary focus, the Crime Branch is also adopting a rehabilitation-oriented strategy for individuals struggling with addiction.

Officials indicated that special emphasis is being placed on identifying “addict-peddlers”—those who sell drugs primarily to support their own addiction.

A senior official from the Crime Branch noted that under Section 64A of the NDPS Act, such individuals are being offered a chance to seek immunity from prosecution, provided they voluntarily enter and successfully complete medical de-addiction treatment.

Reaffirming its commitment to making Ahmedabad a drug-free city, the Crime Branch has called upon citizens to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to the sale, storage, or distribution of narcotics.

Officials further stated that similar intelligence-led operations will persist in the upcoming days as part of an ongoing campaign against the drug trade.