Drug ban in Mahatma Gandhi’s Gujarat seems to be implemented only on paper. A large section of the young generation has become addicted to drugs today, the reason being that a wellorganised network of drugs has been set up in the state due to the collusion of the police and drug mafia. Due to this, drugs worth crores are being smuggled. During the mega drive by the police to remove the contamination of narcotics, only Rs 4.39 crore worth of narcotics, including morphine and heroin, has been seized, proving that the drug mafia in Gujarat is rampant and ruining the youth.
A special mega drive from 5 September till 8 October was organised by the police across Gujarat to keep the youth of the state away from the scourge of drugs by the Home Department and to stop the production and sale of narcotics, including drugs, morphine, heroin and other intoxicants in the state.
A total of 21 offences of illegal activity including sale, manufacture and trafficking of narcotics, have been registered in the state. Among the drugs seized were marijuana, opium, hashish and morphine as well as heroin and mephedrone worth a total of Rs 4.39 crore. A total of 79 accused involved in such activities have also been arrested. During the drive, 13 accused who were earlier involved in drug dealing and trafficking and running or being part of a drug racket were also identified and detained under section NDPS. Earlier, in connection with such offences, drugs and narcotics worth Rs 12.51 lakh were seized and destroyed by the police.
It is worth mentioning that a quantity of mephedro drugs worth Rs 1.33 crore was also seized from Surat. A unit producing mephedro illegally was also seized and a racket for intoxication of codeine cuff oysters was busted during the drive from Ahmedabad district. The accused had illegally sold the quantity of cough syrup and made it intoxicating. Ahmedabad Rural Police recovered cough syrup worth Rs 55 lakh and further investigation is underway after nabbing 11 accused.