Dismantle economy linked to drugs, says CM; mephedrone worth Rs 6550 cr seized between 2021-25

Mumbai, Jul 16 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday directed authorities to dismantle the illegal economy linked to narcotics and called for a coordinated campaign to make the state drug-free. Chairing a review meeting on the 'Strategy and Action Plan for a Drug-Free Maharashtra' here, Fadnavis said all departments must work in coordination to curb the production, supply, sale and distribution of both natural and synthetic narcotic drugs. According to figures presented at the meeting, police seized 5.7 tonnes of mephedrone worth Rs 6,550 crore between 2021 and 2025. During the same period, they also confiscated 134 kg of heroin worth Rs 484.75 crore, 109.7 tonnes of ganja worth Rs 186.44 crore, 759 kg of charas worth Rs 14.67 crore and 134 kg of cocaine worth Rs 14.60 crore. In 2025 alone, police registered 17,611 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, seized 56,206 kg of narcotic substances valued at Rs 1,340 crore and arrested 15,994 accused, including 72 foreign nationals. Fadnavis also suggested introducing lessons on the harmful effects of drug abuse in the curriculum for Classes VII to X to create awareness among students at an early age. He directed the Medical Education Department, the Public Health Department and the Anti-Narcotics Cell to establish a statewide network of de-addiction centres in collaboration with voluntary organisations. He also asked Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to set up multidisciplinary de-addiction centres in Mumbai and directed government hospitals to earmark beds for de-addiction treatment. "Schools and colleges should formulate guidelines to declare their campuses drug-free and undertake sustained awareness programmes against substance abuse," Fadnavis said. He called for effective implementation of the NDPS Act and suggested setting up fast-track courts for speedy disposal of drug-related cases. Government prosecutors handling such cases should receive specialised training to improve conviction rates, the CM stressed. Directing police to intensify action against drug syndicates, Fadnavis asked them to identify peddlers, trace the entire supply chain and crack down on all those involved in the illegal trade. "Patrolling should be stepped up in identified drug hotspots. No person involved in narcotics trafficking would be spared," he said. The CM also announced incentives for anti-drug efforts, directing that a reward scheme be introduced for citizens providing credible information leading to major drug seizures and for individuals contributing significantly to the Drug-Free Maharashtra campaign. Police personnel and officers showing outstanding performance in narcotics investigations should be granted an advance increment equivalent to three per cent of their basic pay, while investigating officers should be allowed to travel by air whenever operationally required, he said. A separate awards scheme should also be instituted to recognise exemplary service, Fadnavis added. PTI MR BNM