NCB to launch 24 nationwide anti-drug drives from Sept, target fugitives, pharmacies

The Narcotics Control Bureau has scheduled 24 special anti-drug drives across India over a year. The plan combines crackdowns, inspections and awareness efforts to break trafficking networks.The campaign is meant to supplement the regular work and time-bound targets already set for agencies under the recently unveiled National Vision Document for Narcotics Control 2026-29.Anti-drug trafficking agencies will begin a year-long nationwide enforcement campaign from September to track down absconding narcotics offenders, inspect medical shops for diversion of pharmaceutical drugs and check prisons, as part of a wider plan to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates. Officials told PTI that the Narcotics Control Bureau has asked all states and central agencies dealing with drug crimes to carry out 24 special drives, each lasting a fortnight, till August next year.The campaign is meant to supplement the regular work and time-bound targets already set for agencies under the recently unveiled National Vision Document for Narcotics Control 2026-29. The NCB has said the coordinated fortnightly drives are intended to strengthen inter-agency coordination, increase public awareness and help achieve the goal of Nasha Mukt Bharat, or Drugs Free India.An awareness programme for students in schools and colleges has been under way since August 16. Enforcement drives will begin in September, when one fortnight will focus on identifying foreigners involved in drug crimes across the country for deportation, followed by another 15-day drive targeting absconding narcotics offenders, according to the action plan.From October, the NCB, along with the Anti-Narcotics Task Forces of states and Union Territories, will inspect medical stores and pharmacies in coordination with local drug controllers to check the diversion of pharmaceutical drugs for narcotics trafficking. Officials said the plan later provides separate fortnights for preparing dossiers on drug crime fugitives, creating awareness among coastal communities about maritime drug trade and carrying out coordinated checks at all land, sea and airports in the second half of December.In the second fortnight of January 2027, agencies will focus on detecting and destroying illicit cultivation. This will be followed by an awareness drive in the chemical industries in the first half of February against the diversion of precursor chemicals, and joint inspections of jails in the second half of that month. Officials said the action plan also includes special fortnights to engage young people in sports, carry out drug-free campus verification in educational institutions and train anti-narcotics officials to scan the darknet, cryptocurrency, synthetic drugs and clandestine drug manufacturing laboratories.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 23, 2026 14:03 IST