Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) have increased by 29.17 percent

Increase in NDPS Cases in Telangana in 2024

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Cases related to Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) have increased by 29.17 percent this year in Telangana state compared to the previous year.  

Speaking after the releasing of the annual report of the Excise Enforcement for 2024, Prohibition and Excise department Director, Enforcement, V B Kamalasan Reddy said that 809 cases related to NDPS were registered in 2023, but this year number has increased to 1,045. With this the number of cases were increased by 29.17 percent in the State till November 30, he said.   

Total 1,134 persons arrested in NDPS related cases in 2023, but this year till November 30, the department arrested 1,840 persons registering a rise of 62.26 percent, said the Director.

Director said the crackdown launched by the Prohibition and Excise department to make the State free from Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic Substances resulted in a significant increase in the arrest of a number of persons in cases related to NDPS under NDPS-Act in 2024.

Director Kamalasan Reddy said the seizure of vehicles involved in the NDPS crime also went up by 78.41 percent in 2024 with over 471 cases compared to 264 cases in 2023. He has attributed the rise in the number of cases to the enforcement drive launched against NDPS.

Speaking on seizure trends, the Director said enhanced seizure diversity, including poppy straw, alprazolam and emerging synthetic and designer drugs. Breach cases rose from four to 27, indicating tighter enforcement but room for better compliance, he said.  

Ganja, cocaine, heroin, MDMA, LSD blots, Alprazolam and Diazepam among other narcotics were seized last year. Referring to illicit distillation cases, Kamalasan Reddy said the cases registered a marginal increase of 2.07 percent with over 21,234 in 2024 as against 20,803 in 2023.

The number of persons arrested in these cases also went up by 8.66 percent with the arrest of over 12,727 persons in 2024 compared to 11,713 in 2023.

The quantity of Illicit Distillation (ID) liquor flow decreased significantly by 19.87 percent with over 1,04,730 litres in 2024 as against 1,30,696 litres in 2023. The department’s effective enforcement measures resulted in drastic reduction of Non-Duty Paid Liquor (NDPL) inflow into the State.

In 2023, 1,808 cases were registered, 990 persons arrested, 149 vehicles were seized and 29,561 litres of liquor seized. In 2024, till November 30, around 800 cases were registered, 430 persons arrested and 10,613 litres of liquor seized and 71 vehicles seized, said the Director. 

Increase in NDPS Cases in Telangana in 2024

Percentage Increase in NDPS Cases: NDPS cases rose by 29.17%, from 809 cases in 2023 to 1,045 cases in 2024 (up to November 30).

Arrests Related to NDPS:

2023: 1,134 arrests.a

2024 (till Nov 30): 1,840 arrests, a 62.26% increase.

Seizure of Vehicles in NDPS Cases:

2023: 264 cases of vehicle seizure.

2024: 471 cases, a 78.41% increase.

Drug Seizures:

*   Enhanced seizures included poppy straw, alprazolam, synthetic, and designer drugs.

*   Narcotics seized: Ganja, cocaine, heroin, MDMA, LSD blots, Alprazolam, Diazepam.

*   Breach Cases: Rose from 4 in 2023 to 27 in 2024, indicating tighter enforcement.

Illicit Distillation Cases

Case Increase: Marginal rise of 2.07%, with 21,234 cases in 2024 compared to 20,803 in 2023.

Arrests

2023: 11,713 arrests.

2024: 12,727 arrests, an 8.66% increase.

Quantity of ID Liquor Seized: Decreased by 19.87%, with 1,04,730 litres in 2024 compared to 1,30,696 litres in 2023.

Non-Duty Paid Liquor (NDPL) Cases

Reduction in NDPL Inflow:

2023: 1,808 cases, 990 arrests, 149 vehicles seized, 29,561 litres of liquor seized.

2024 (till Nov 30): 800 cases, 430 arrests, 71 vehicles seized, 10,613 litres of liquor seized.

Comments by Director (Prohibition & Excise Department)

Efforts against NDPS: Crackdown and enforcement measures aim to make the state free from Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

Increased Enforcement: Resulted in significant growth in arrests and seizures.

Compliance Challenges: Despite tighter enforcement, breach cases highlight room for improvement.a