The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has ramped up efforts against narcotics by filing eight new cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in just three days. This move is part of a focused operation to dismantle the drug supply network in the city. The enforcement drive targeted street-level peddling, financial connections, and identifying repeat offenders involved in illegal drug trade.
Multiple teams were deployed across different areas of the city for targeted checks, surveillance, and intelligence-based actions. More than 30 known drug peddlers were intercepted and subjected to detailed background checks and questioning. The Crime Branch also took action against the sale of “Gogo” rolling papers, smoking kits, and illegal e-cigarettes, showing a zero-tolerance stance towards prohibited substances and related paraphernalia.
In a strategic shift to disrupt the logistical support of the drug trade, the Crime Branch initiated two preliminary inquiries focusing on narco-finance operations. Investigators discovered that drug peddlers are increasingly using fake SIM cards and forged bank details for transactions to evade detection. In response, the police have started invoking additional sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to cheating and forgery against the accused, expanding legal actions beyond NDPS Act violations.
While enforcement remains a priority, the Crime Branch has also embraced a rehabilitation-centered approach for individuals struggling with addiction. Special efforts are being made to identify “addict-peddlers” who sell drugs to support their own dependency. Under Section 64A of the NDPS Act, these individuals are offered immunity from prosecution if they voluntarily undergo and complete medical de-addiction treatment successfully.
Emphasizing its dedication to a drug-free Ahmedabad, the Crime Branch has encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activities related to narcotics’ sale, storage, or distribution. Officials have confirmed that similar intelligence-driven operations will persist in the future as part of an ongoing campaign against the drug menace.
