‘Over 60% fall in drug smuggling during lockdown’

PATNA: The enforcement agencies have intensified raids against cultivation of ganja and opium in Maoist-hit areas in state, said Narcotics Control Bureau zonal director (Bihar and Jharkhand) Kumar Manish on Friday. June 26 is observed as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Manish said there was 60 to 70% drop in drug smuggling in state during the lockdown period. He said several online campaign had been run for school students as well as youths to create awareness against drug abuse in state.
“Enforcement activities along with other actions like seizures have increased in Bihar. Though cultivation of ganja and other plants used for manufacturing drug was going on in Maoist-dominated areas, there has been a major curb on that,” Manish told TOI over phone.
Meanwhile, the state police headquarters also organized a webinar on the occasion. Additional chief secretary (home) Amir Subhani inaugurated it. DGP Gupteshwar Pandey was the chief guest.
Economic offences unit (EOU) ADG JS Gangwar said 6447kg ganja and 275kg charas were seized last year in comparison to 25,355kg ganja and 63kg charas seized in state in 2018.
He also said that in 2019, 621 cases were registered under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and 490 were arrested and 189 were convicted. In 2018, 360 cases were registered, 441 persons were arrested and 160 persons were convicted statewide.
Gangwar said 207 cases were registered, 244 persons were arrested, 1907.04kg ganja and 21.33kg charas were seized and 49 persons were convicted under NDPS Act till May this year. Six schoolchildren and six youths were declared winners during the programme for participating in EOU’s online awareness programmes over drug abuse via drawing, painting and slogans.