Maharashtra's Record Drug Seizures Expose Police Involvement

In the first five months of 2024, Maharashtra's anti-narcotics teams seized drugs worth Rs 4,131 crore, a 360% increase from last year. Some police officials were found involved in the drug trade. Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis attributed the rise in seizures to a coordinated joint action plan among various departments.

Anti-narcotics teams in Maharashtra have confiscated drugs worth Rs 4,131 crore in the first five months of 2024, marking a 360 per cent increase from the previous year's total seizures, according to government data.

Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis revealed that some police officials were involved in the drug trade and have been dismissed from their positions. This information was disclosed in response to a query raised by Congress legislator Ashok alias Bhai Jagtap in the state legislative council.

In 2023, anti-narcotics teams conducted 12,648 operations and seized drugs worth Rs 897 crore. As of May this year, the team has already carried out 6,529 operations, resulting in the confiscation of Rs 4,131 crore worth of banned substances. Fadnavis attributed these achievements to a coordinated effort among various state departments, following a request from the Centre to develop a joint action plan against the production and trade of banned substances.

Additionally, the state has identified and dismissed several police officials involved in these illegal activities, reinforcing its commitment to tackling the drug menace, the Deputy CM emphasized.