I recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. I told him that by bringing Naxalism to the brink of extinction within a certain period of time, you have set an example: nothing is impossible if a leader has the courage. Now, I request you to rid the country of drug traffickers. Eliminate the drug cartels. This is not an easy task, but you have the power to perform this miracle. With his cheerful smile, he simply said, “Just wait and see, drug cartels are in trouble now. There is no place for them in this country.”
While there has always been a sense of trust in Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the way he has brought Naxalism to the brink of extinction has made everyone admire his determination, courage, and focus on his goal. When he announced the elimination of Naxalites by March 2026, everyone doubted whether this bloody disease, which has claimed the lives of countless politicians, police officers, and influential figures, could truly be eradicated so quickly. But Amit Shah was adamant that once the eradication was determined, goal would be achieved.
In fact, strategies were being developed with the concerned states long before his announcement. Preparations were leak-proof, goal was clear, capable officers had been deployed, and resources were spared. A loving touch was offered to the erring ones, while guns were fired at those displaying fanaticism. This is the style of a successful leader. It is certainly the turn of drug traffickers now, and intensive planning is underway at the central level. The general perception is that Amit Shah is a leader who believes in results rather than announcements.
When a little information comes out, a lot of work has already been done. I was recently in Goa. While speaking with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant of Maharashtra, then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of Maharashtra, and top police officials from both states, I learned how intensive preparations are underway against drug cartels. Few people may be aware that the central government announced Drug Free India Campaign on August 15, 2020. It wasn’t a sudden announcement. Prior to that, a survey was conducted in 2018, report of which was released in 2019. The findings were shocking.
It was revealed that 160 million people consume alcohol, of which over 57 million are in serious condition. Cannabis is second, with approximately 31 million people consuming it. Approximately 2.5 million people suffer from serious addiction. Approximately 22.6 million people consume opium, of which 7.7 million are in serious condition. Approximately 850,000 people inject drugs through intravenous injections.
States like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana have highest number of such individuals. Not only this, the number of drug users who sniff drugs is also quite high. Based on this report, a plan was developed and work to crack down on drug traffickers began. You may recall that in September last year, at the second national conference of National Narcotics Task Force, Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave a very clear explanation.
He told the task force that there are three tiers of drug cartels in India: first, which is based abroad and sends drugs across the border; second, which is within the country and supplies drugs to various states; and third, which distributes drug packets locally at street corners. All three cartels need to be attacked simultaneously with full force, and this attack is underway with full force. Our intelligence agencies are doing an excellent job.
You will be surprised to know that approximately 16,000 drug traffickers are imprisoned in Indian jails. These traffickers are from countries like Bangladesh, the Philippines, Ghana, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Nigeria. The process of deporting them has already begun, and process of extraditing drug smugglers based abroad is also underway. However, biggest campaign is to ensure that drugs are not smuggled into India from the border. This is certainly not an easy task, as the drug cartels have a strong network. The drug trade involves immense wealth, which is used for everything from inducements to threats or even murder.
From Punjab and Rajasthan borders to the Gujarat maritime border, Pakistani Army and its intelligence agency, ISI, are assisting drug smugglers. Drones are also being provided to the smugglers to transport drugs. Another major route is the Gujarat coastline. Numerous cases of heroin smuggling, particularly hidden in containers, have been reported. Five years ago, heroin worth ₹21,000 crore (approximately $2.1 billion) was seized at the Mundra port in Gujarat, concealed in one such container.
Furthermore, drugs are being smuggled into Bihar and Uttar Pradesh through Nepal, and into the northeastern states of India through Myanmar and Bangladesh. All these drug traffickers are interconnected. Drug cartels from Mexico, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, the Philippines, Nepal, Myanmar, to Nigeria and Ghana are all part of the same coin and utilize each other’s networks. In such a situation, the fight is certainly a huge one. But Narendra Modi’s leadership and Amit Shah’s determination must be trusted, just as India has won the war against Naxalism.
We will succeed in eliminating the drug cartels as well. Amit Shah ji, country is with you. I want to say one more thing.
