JAMMU, JANUARY 11: J&K Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha participated virtually in a regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security,’ chaired by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah in New Delhi. The conference, organized by the Narcotics Control Bureau , focused on the urgent need to combat drug trafficking and its links to national security. In his address, the Lieutenant Governor reaffirmed Jammu and Kashmir’s strong commitment to dismantling the narco-terror nexus and tackling the pervasive drug menace.
Highlighting significant progress made in 2024, the Lieutenant Governor reported that targeted efforts were implemented to seize the illicit proceeds of narcotics trafficking. Under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators Act , 188 properties linked to traffickers were identified for attachment, and 274 repeat offenders were detained under the PIT-NDPS Act.
Noting the success of the ongoing crackdown, Shri Sinha stated that 2024 saw record achievements, with 210 convictions secured—the highest ever in a single year. Additionally, 1,514 cases under the NDPS Act were registered, and 2,260 arrests were made. The Lieutenant Governor assured that the government is fully committed to neutralizing the entire drug syndicate, which poses a severe threat to both the sovereignty and security of the nation. In a significant step, five special NDPS courts have been established to expedite the trial process for these cases.
“Financial investigations are being carried out in all cases to establish both forward and backward linkages, ensuring the complete dismantling of the entire network in every NDPS case,” he explained.
Shri Sinha further emphasized that, under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, Jammu and Kashmir has adopted a whole-of-government approach to address both drug trafficking and drug abuse. “Inter-departmental coordination has been strengthened, and regular NCORD meetings have been held over the past two years to ensure a unified response,” he added.
The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the strengthening of forensic laboratories, with modern equipment and additional manpower to ensure the effective processing of cases. “This has led to faster charge-sheet filing and strengthened the legal justice framework, enabling the more efficient trial of drug-related cases,” he concluded.
The conference served as a crucial platform for discussing strategies to combat the growing threat of drug trafficking and its national security implications, with Jammu and Kashmir’s proactive approach receiving widespread recognition.