Traffickers using new, longer routes to bring drugs into India

New Delhi: Compared to 2016, recovery of illicit drugs by Delhi Police increased significantly in 2017.

Investigations into drug trafficking led to revelation of new routes, with Delhi Police claiming that traffickers used longer routes, which led to their arrests.

Delhi Police data accessed by Millennium Post showed that in 2016, around 42 kg of charas was recovered.

However, in 2017, till November, the number was more than 50 kg.

Meanwhile, the amount of opium recovered decreased to 19 kg in 2017, from the more than 200 kg recovered in 2016.

Seizure of ganja in 2017 was also markedly less, as it fell to 2,300 kg, from 5,000 kg in 2016.

Recovery of smack/heroin – of which 25 kg was seized in 2016 – increased to more than 50 kg in 2017.

The data also claimed that under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, 297 cases were reported in 2016 and 383 persons were nabbed.

Meanwhile, 2017 witnessed more than 300 cases under NDPS Act and arrest of 456 criminals.

Delhi Police also seized 13 lakh bottles of illicit liquor – including alcohol – over the last three years.

The Special Cell of Delhi Police made several arrests in cases of illicit liquor and even recovered illicit drugs.

When asked whether the increase in the recovery of some drugs was because of their high consumption, a senior official of Special Cell countered that it was not because of high consumption, as cops are keeping a tab on the movement of drug traffickers which has led to several arrests and drug seizures.

A change in the routes of trafficking was prominently observed.

Most persons who carried drugs were not specialist, which resulted in their arrest.

"If you talk about heroin, earlier it was made in Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh. But we have seen trafficking of drugs from Myanmar border to Manipur, from where drug traffickers supply them to different parts of the country," said the official, adding that the cost of drugs from border area is also less.