Seizures decline amid rising enforcement
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has reported a significant drop in drug seizures in 2025, even as the number of registered cases and arrests has increased. According to data released by the agency, total seizures of narcotics and psychotropic substances fell by approximately 15% compared to the previous year, while cases rose by 12% and arrests by 18%.
NCB officials attribute this paradox to a strategic shift by traffickers, who are now relying on a decentralized supply mechanism. Instead of moving large consignments through single channels, smugglers are breaking shipments into smaller lots and using multiple routes, making detection and confiscation more difficult.
Decentralized trafficking networks
“The traffickers have adapted to our intensified surveillance by fragmenting their operations,” said an NCB spokesperson. “This makes it harder to intercept large quantities, even though we are registering more cases and making more arrests.” The agency noted that the trend is particularly evident in the smuggling of ganja and synthetic drugs, which are increasingly transported via courier services and parcel deliveries.
Data shows that seizures of ganja dropped by 20% in 2025, while heroin and cocaine seizures also declined. In contrast, seizures of synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and MDMA saw a marginal increase, indicating a shift in consumer preferences.
Impact on enforcement strategy
The NCB has responded by enhancing coordination with state police and postal authorities, as well as deploying advanced analytics to identify patterns in small-scale shipments. “We are now focusing on dismantling the financial networks and supply chains behind these decentralized operations,” the spokesperson added.
Despite the drop in seizures, the overall quantity of drugs seized remains substantial. In 2025, the NCB confiscated over 10,000 kilograms of narcotics, compared to 12,000 kilograms in 2024. The agency emphasizes that the rise in cases and arrests reflects its proactive stance, even as traffickers evolve their methods.
