The Gujarat government has often claimed that the state’s liquor prohibition is being enforced effectively.
However, even as alcohol remains officially banned, Gujarat is increasingly becoming a major entry point for drugs.
According to data shared by the Union Home Ministry, 91,453 kg of narcotics have been seized in the state over the last five years. These figures raise serious questions about how much more might be entering and circulating undetected.
In the state known as Gandhi’s Gujarat, prohibition has largely remained symbolic. While the government promotes the idea of a “drug-free Gujarat,” the reality on the ground indicates the opposite. Drug trafficking has expanded significantly, and drug abuse among the youth has risen even faster than alcohol consumption.
The growing demand for MD (methamphetamine) and other substances has emboldened drug networks, many of which reportedly operate under political protection.
According to a newspaper report, drugs are now being sold openly in urban neighbourhoods as well as rural pockets, with traffickers showing little fear of the law.
On average, around 1,500 kg of drugs are seized in Gujarat every year, mainly from intelligence-based operations. But these seizures may represent only a fraction of what actually enters the state, the newspaper report further states.
A report tabled in the Lok Sabha has revealed that 91,435 kg of narcotics were confiscated between 2018 and 2022.
Yet there are many questions that remain unanswered like who is sending these drugs worth crores of rupees, where are they originating from, who are the intended recipients and where these consignments are ultimately headed.
According to newspaper report, police investigations have yet to unearth clear information about the specific cities, villages, or networks linked to the drug mafia. This lack of clarity suggests that a well-organized and deeply rooted distribution system operates across the state.
Despite repeated large seizures, neither the top-level drug mafia nor mid-level peddlers have been effectively identified or brought to justice. While the government and police highlight the quantity of drugs recovered as a sign of success, they have been unable to dismantle the core structure of the trade.
Adding to the concern is the changing profile of those involved. The newspaper report further says that women are increasingly joining the ranks of drug peddlers, and even educated youth—struggling with unemployment—are turning to drug distribution as a source of income. With the growing demand for drugs, peddlers have spread across both cities and villages, often operating through easy installment-based payment systems that attract young consumers.
The Congress in Gujarat has on Thursday launched a campaign to make Gujarat free from drugs and liquor.
During its Jan Aakrosh Yatra, Jignesh Mevani had hit out against the manner in which drugs and liquor are freely available in Gujarat.
Also Read: Gujarat, A Prey To Drugs Trafficking: Massive Seizures, Yet No Answers On Networks Or Destinations https://www.vibesofindia.com/gujarat-a-prey-to-drugs-trafficking-massive-seizures-yet-no-answers-on-networks-or-destinations/
