According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), nearly one-third of the total value of drugs seized by it across the country have been from Gujarat.
Data released by the poll panel say that drug seizures amounted to a total value of Rs 3,958.85 crore between March 1 and May 18. This amounts to nearly 45% of the total worth of seized items worth Rs 8,889 crore.
Of the Rs 3,958.85 crore, Rs 1,187.8 crore or nearly 30% was seized from Gujarat alone. “Enhanced vigil against inducements, including drugs and psychotropic substances, has resulted in big seizure actions and continuous surge. Drug seizures have been the highest. Regular follow-ups and reviews of districts and agencies in areas of expenditure monitoring, precise data interpretation and active participation of enforcement agencies have led to this significant spurt in seizures since March 1,” EC stated.
Three major operations
As per the EC, three major operations resulted in drug seizures worth Rs 602 crore, Rs 230 crore and Rs 60 crore during the said period. “Gujarat ATS, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Indian Coast Guard, in joint operations, have made three high-value seizures of drugs in just three days amounting to Rs 892 crore,” the commission stated.
In the largest operation, a joint force identified and intercepted a suspected fishing boat that was carrying 14 crew members, all Pakistan nationals, on Indian waters, 180 nautical miles off the coast of Porbandar, Gujarat.
A total of 78 boxes of contraband suspected to be heroin was recovered. The contraband weighed roughly 86 kgs and is worth nearly Rs 602 crore in the international market. The boat and crew were brought to Porbandar for further legal procedures, the EC statement highlighted.
In another operation, Gujarat ATS received inputs that various units in Rajasthan and Gujarat are involved in the illicit manufacturing of psychotropic substances such as mephedrone.
Simultaneous raids were carried out at Amreli, Gandhinagar, Sirohi and Jodhpur on April 27, 2024 on illicit manufacturing units involved in the production of mephedrone. Ten people have so far been detained and 22 kgs of mephedrone powder and 124 litres of mephedrone in liquid form have been seized, the EC said.
In the third operation, 173 kg of hashish worth Rs 60.5 crore was seized on April 29.
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