Mumbai, Jan 2 (NationPress) Aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a Drug-Free India (Nasha Mukt Bharat), the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai Zonal Unit has achieved substantial enforcement results in 2025 to dismantle narcotics networks comprehensively, as stated in an official announcement on Friday.

Throughout the year, the NCB Mumbai confiscated approximately 5,560 kg of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. This included 11.760 kg of cocaine, 11.835 kg of charas, 223 kg of ganja, 49.664 kg of mephedrone, 1,800 kg of unlawfully diverted codeine-based cough syrup, 12 kg of diverted pharmaceutical tablets, 3,398.5 kg of acetic anhydride, 50 LSD blots (0.54 grams), and various other prohibited items.

A total of 51 individuals were apprehended in connection with these operations, as indicated in the statement.

Extensive investigations resulted in the freezing of movable and immovable assets valued at around Rs 18 crore, obtained through the profits of drug trafficking.

Moreover, preventive detention under the PITNDPS Act, 1988, was effectively utilized against a habitual offender, who was relocated from a Mumbai jail to Chennai.

Following the “top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top” strategy endorsed by the Prime Minister, the Mumbai Zonal Unit recorded 24 cases in 2025, leading to the capture of suppliers, distributors, recipients, hawala operators, kingpins, and essential facilitators. Many international, inter-state, and intra-state drug trafficking networks were successfully dismantled, reported the NCB.

Significant operations included actions against organized crime syndicates based in Dongri, which were implicated in the trafficking of synthetic drugs like mephedrone and had extensive criminal records. In a collaborative effort with the Maharashtra and Rajasthan Police, the NCB provided critical intelligence that culminated in the dismantling of a clandestine laboratory in MIDC, Raigad, resulting in the seizure of 47.687 kg of ketamine.

In another landmark achievement, an international cocaine trafficking network operating between the US and India was dismantled through a methodical bottom-to-top investigation, leading to the deportation of the kingpin from Malaysia.

As part of preventive measures, three individuals were intercepted in Pune with 420 kg of chloral hydrate, a chemical primarily utilized in the production of counterfeit liquor. Since chloral hydrate is not categorized under the NDPS Act, the seized items were turned over to the Maharashtra State Excise Department for further proceedings.

NCB Mumbai also dealt a significant setback to synthetic drug manufacturing networks by dismantling an organized syndicate involved in the illicit supply of chemical intermediates necessary for ketamine production, resulting in the arrest of two key operatives and the seizure of 46.8 kg of synthesis intermediates.

In a major inter-state operation against the illegal diversion of pharmaceutical drugs, alprazolam tablets were confiscated from an associate of a Mumbai-based kingpin, leading to the arrest of the female kingpin and several associates, including distributors located in Varanasi.

Another illicit pharmaceutical drug syndicate, operated by an individual of foreign origin, was dismantled on December 31, 2025, with the seizure of bottles of codeine-based cough syrup and nitrazepam tablets from Irani Pada, Ambiwali, and Kalyan. One person was arrested, and the investigation is ongoing. This area is recognized for the presence of individuals with criminal records, including NDPS cases.

In addition to enforcement, NCB Mumbai heightened awareness and capacity-building efforts, conducting programs in schools and colleges, including pilot initiatives under the NCB-CBSE MoU. Training sessions were also organized for law enforcement agencies, government departments, and private stakeholders. During the year, 375 officers received training, while awareness programs were held at 35 locations.