Nationwide fortnightly anti-narcotics drives to start in September
The Narcotics Control Bureau plans a year-long pattern of fortnightly enforcement campaigns across India beginning September, targeting foreign drug offenders, absconding narcotics criminals, and drug-diversion activities. An ongoing awareness drive for students started on August 16.
Key takeaways
- A year-long schedule of 24 fortnightly anti-narcotics campaigns will run from September 2026 to August 2027.
- Initial fortnights focus on deporting foreigners involved in drug crimes and apprehending absconding offenders.
- Starting October, inspections of medical shops and pharmacies will check for diversion of pharmaceutical drugs.
What Happened
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) announced a year-long national enforcement drive comprising 24 special fortnightly campaigns running from September this year until August 2027. The program includes a first fortnight aimed at identifying foreigners involved in drug crimes for potential deportation, followed by a 15-day period targeting absconding narcotics offenders. Starting in October, inspections of medical shops and pharmacies will be conducted to check for diversion of pharmaceutical drugs, in coordination with State and Union Territories Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTFs) and drug controllers. Later fortnights are planned for preparing dossiers against fugitives, raising coastal community awareness about maritime drug trade, and conducting coordinated checks at land, sea and airports in December. The schedule also includes a February 2027 period for verifying chemical industries and a second-half February joint jail inspection. In total, these fortnights are designed to supplement regular enforcement and align with the national Vision Document for Narcotics Control 2026-29 and the goal of a drug-free India.
An awareness program for students in schools and colleges has been ongoing since August 16, as part of the broader effort preceding the enforcement drives.
Why It Matters
Officials describe the fortnightly drives as a mechanism to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and public awareness while accelerating action against drug trafficking networks. The plan links enforcement with targeted actions against drug diversion, fugitives, and illicit cultivation, and incorporates surveillance across multiple jurisdictions and channels (land, sea, airports) to curb narcotics trafficking within the country.
Background
The action plan is presented as part of the national Vision Document for Narcotics Control 2026-29, with the NCB coordinating with state and UT ANTFs and drug controllers. The plan includes a set of 24 special drives to be executed as part of a year-long program starting in September, aiming to dismantle drug trafficking networks and enhance public awareness and inter-agency collaboration.
Key Facts
- Enforcement drives begin from September 2026 as part of a year-long national plan.
- First fortnight targets identifying foreigners involved in drug crimes for possible deportation.
- Next 15-day period focuses on absconding narcotics offenders.
- From October, inspections of medical shops/pharmacies for diversion of pharmaceutical drugs.
- Joint actions with ANTFs and drug controllers across land, sea, and airports scheduled for December.
- February 2027 includes joint jail inspections and awareness in chemical industries.
- Additional fortnights planned for dossiers on fugitives and maritime drug trade awareness.
- Awareness program for students has been active since August 16, 2026.
- Plan aligned with Vision Document for Narcotics Control 2026-29 and the goal of Nasha Mukt Bharat.
What Happens Next
Official channels indicate that the 24 special fortnights will roll out through September 2026 to August 2027, with successive focuses as described above. The agencies will coordinate with respective states and UTs to implement inspections, deportation processes, and inter-agency checks, and will continue outreach and awareness activities in educational institutions as part of the ongoing program.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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