NCB seized 1.33 lakh kg of drugs worth about ₹2,000 crore in 2025

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Wednesday (January 7, 2026) said that it seized 1.33 lakh kg of drugs worth about ₹2,000 crore and destroyed 77,000 kg of narcotic drugs valued at ₹3,889 crore last year.

The agency arrested 994 drug traffickers, including 25 foreign nationals, in 447 cases; secured conviction of 265 drug offenders in 131 cases. “Of them, 39 were awarded the maximum sentence of 20 years while 210 others were awarded sentence of 10 years or more but less than 20 years. The convicted offenders included nine foreign nationals,” it said, adding that a focused approach led to a rise in the conviction rate to 66.8% in 2025, up from 60.8% in 2024.

Key operations launched by the NCB last year included Operation Crystal Fortress, under which 328 kg of high-quality methamphetamine were seized in Delhi; and Operation Ketamelon, as part of which one of the largest darknet drug syndicate in India was busted and 1,127 LSD blots, 131.66 gm ketamine and cryptocurrency worth ₹70 lakhs were seized.

Under Operation Med Max, an international pharmaceutical trafficking network spread across four continents and over 10 countries was dismantled. The investigation began with the seizure of 3.7 kg of tramadol in Delhi and exposed an India-based network supplying controlled medicines to the United States, Europe, and Australia through encrypted platforms, drop-shipping models, and cryptocurrency.

A probe into seizure of 200-gm cocaine, concealed in a projector being sent to Australia via courier, resulted in further impounding of of 11.54 kg of the stuff, hybrid cannabis, Tetrahydrocannabinol-based gummies, and drug trafficking proceeds. In this case, the kingpin was later deported.

During the year, the agency also busted six drug laboratories operating in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh. They were engaged in the illegal production of synthetic drugs such as mephedrone, alprazolam, ketamine, and similar substances.

Strong measures were taken against the illegal proceeds of narcotic drug trafficking by freezing assets worth ₹96.69 crore in 70 cases during the year. In all, 14 Interpol Red Notices, 22 Interpol Blue Notices, and one Interpol Silver Notice were issued. Five wanted persons were deported from the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia.

The NCB also organised conferences to address the challenges in combating drug trafficking and abuse in the country, particularly in northeastern States. Its helpline number [1933] has “achieved significant operational and public-outreach milestones within a short span”. It recorded over nine lakh citizen interactions, including actionable tip-offs. The agency is also carrying out awareness programmes in schools.

The Bureau signed agreements with institutions like Rashtriya Raksha University and National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar. “The NCB has additionally made special efforts toward the establishment of the SCO Anti-Drug Center (ADC) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan...it is a permanent institutional mechanism of the SCO to strengthen cooperation among Member States in combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and their precursors,” it said.