How Much Narcotics Has Punjab Seized Over Five Years?
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Synopsis
Punjab's struggle against narcotics continues as law enforcement unveils staggering drug seizure statistics. With 2.17 lakh kg of narcotics confiscated over five years, the region grapples with rising overdose deaths and a growing backlog of cases. Discover the implications of these alarming trends and the efforts being made for rehabilitation.
Key Takeaways
- Punjab seized nearly 2.17 lakh kg of narcotics from 2019 to 2023.
- Conviction rates have improved significantly over the years.
- Overdose deaths remain a critical issue, with 89 fatalities in 2023.
- Funding for rehabilitation has increased to Rs 2.96 crore.
- A growing backlog of pending cases is a cause for concern.
New Delhi, Dec 17 (NationPress) Punjab is grappling with a significant narcotics crisis, as highlighted in data presented in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, showing that law enforcement agencies confiscated nearly 2.17 lakh kilograms of illegal drugs from 2019 to 2023, in addition to crores of tablets and thousands of litres of banned substances.
This information was relayed by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in response to a query from MP Swati Maliwal.
The Minister referenced statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which indicated that narcotics seizures in Punjab were at 44,239 kg in 2019, decreased to 37,364.676 kg in 2020, climbed to 38,78.170 kg in 2021, peaked at 49,421.858 kg in 2022, and remained high at 47,609.38 kg in 2023.
The number of narcotics-related criminal cases reflects similar trends. Although 11,536 cases were registered in 2019, this number fell sharply to 6,909 in 2020 during the pandemic, before increasing to 12,442 in 2022 and 11,589 in 2023.
The backlog of pending cases has risen consistently, from 23,671 in 2019 to a staggering 45,962 by the end of 2023, indicating a mounting pressure on the judicial system.
Importantly, the rates of conviction have been on the rise. From 64.8 percent in 2019, the conviction rate has increased to 67.2 percent in 2020, 77.9 percent in 2021, 79.2 percent in 2022, and reached 82.7 percent in 2023.
Deaths from drug overdoses remain a critical issue, with 78 fatalities in 2021, escalating to 144 in 2022, then decreasing to 89 in 2023.
On the rehabilitation side, the Centre supports 10 de-addiction and outreach centres in Punjab.
Funding for these initiatives has increased from Rs 1.01 crore in 2022–23 to Rs 2.96 crore in 2024-25, with more than 11,000 individuals rehabilitated each year.
Point of View
Such as improved conviction rates, the increasing backlog of cases and the number of overdose fatalities paint a grim picture. As a national editor, I urge a comprehensive approach that combines enforcement with education and rehabilitation to tackle this crisis effectively.
NationPress
17/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total amount of narcotics seized in Punjab?
Law enforcement agencies in Punjab seized nearly 2.17 lakh kilograms of narcotics from 2019 to 2023.
How have drug seizure trends changed over the years?
Narcotics seizures fluctuated from 44,239 kg in 2019 to 47,609.38 kg in 2023, peaking at 49,421.858 kg in 2022.
What is the conviction rate for narcotics-related cases?
The conviction rate has improved from 64.8 percent in 2019 to 82.7 percent in 2023.
How many overdose deaths were reported in 2023?
There were 89 overdose deaths reported in 2023.
What support does the Centre provide for rehabilitation?
The Centre supports 10 de-addiction and outreach facilities in Punjab, with funding increasing to Rs 2.96 crore for 2024-25.
