Seizures declined but ‘chitta’ still major threat in state

There has been a slight decline in the seizure of drugs and the number of total cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, but ‘chitta’ (heroin) still remains a major threat in the state.

According to the police, this year (January 1 to November 30), 10.18 kg of heroin was seized in the state, which was 30 per cent less that the heroin seized last year. In 2023, 14.7 kg of heroin was seized in 12 months, 13.8 kg heroin was seized between January and November.

Similarly, 321 kg of cannabis (charas) was seized in the state from January 1 to November 30, which is less than 347 kg of cannabis seized from January 1 to December 31 last year.

Besides, the police this year have seized 648.8 kg of poppy husk, 34.9 kg of opium, 28.3 kg of ganja, 5.29 gm of cocaine, 6.09 gm of smack, 35,282 tablets, 16,911 capsules, 4,800 ml of syrup, 18.27 gm of amphetami mescaline, 3.32 gm of MDM and 250 gm of opium doda.

In 2023, the police had seized 34.5 kg of opium, 702 kg of poppy husk, 123 kg of ganja, 133.57 gm of smack, 58 gm of katamine, 1.2 kg of hashish oil, 53,611 tablets, 43,702 capsules and 2.9 gm of intoxicating powder.

Besides, 1,537 cases under the NDPS Act were registered in 2024 till November 30 while in 2023, 2,147 cases were registered. About the decline in the seizure of various drugs and the number of NDPS cases, a senior police officer said that due to a crackdown on drug peddlers, seizure of their properties and vigilance in border areas, there had been a decline in such activities.

This year, the police have arrested several kingpins such as Shashi Mahatma, alias Shashi Negi, a Rohru-based drug kingpin; Ranjan Sharma and Daleep Kumar, alias Radhe, who were mainly responsible for running drug rackets in upper Shimla areas such as Rohru, Kumarsain, Kotkhai, Jubbal, Rampur Bushahr, etc.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu launched the ‘Nasha-Mukt Himachal’ campaign aimed at combating the drug menace.

Big Haul

• Drugs          2023                  2024
• Heroin        14.7 kg          10.18 kg
• Cannabis    347.1 kg       321.2 kg
• Opium        34.5 kg           34.9 kg
• Ganja          123.6 kg         28.3 kg
• Poppy husk 702 kg        648.8 kg
• Cocaine                               5.21gm
• Smack        133.5 gm       6.09 gm