The number of juveniles apprehended under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Telangana has nearly doubled in a year, rising from 37 in 2023 to 69 in 2024, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2024 report. This surge means Telangana now accounts for 13% of all such cases nationally.
National Context
Across India, 530 juveniles were apprehended under the NDPS Act in 2024, with the 16–18 age group constituting the majority of cases. Notably, no such case was reported in Hyderabad city, as per the data.
Police Insights on Juvenile Involvement
Police officials indicate that most of these juveniles are consumers rather than traffickers. EAGLE SP Giridhar explained to TOI, “They are mainly consuming. The consumption cycle starts through their peers. While minors may sometimes be used for local trafficking, adults handle inter-state trafficking.” He added that inter-state trafficking by minors is uncommon due to the need for long-distance travel and significant funds.
However, documented cases suggest a more complex picture. In October last year, a 17-year-old school dropout from Alluri Sitarama Raju district in Andhra Pradesh was apprehended near Ghatkesar railway station while allegedly transporting 5.1 kg of hashish oil worth ₹1.15 crore. Former Rachakonda police commissioner G Sudheer Babu stated that the juvenile had been sent by a key supplier from Odisha, “assuming that a minor would not arouse suspicion during transport.”
Data Limitations
The NCRB data does not distinguish between juveniles apprehended as users, carriers, or peddlers, making it challenging to determine the exact nature of their involvement in drug-related activities.
Social Vulnerabilities Cited
Officials attribute the rise in cases to social vulnerabilities rather than organised recruitment. An official formerly associated with EAGLE noted, “Many of these minors come from places where there are limited recreational facilities or guidance. Once they return from school and their parents come home only at 8 or 9 pm, they remain exposed to several vulnerabilities during those hours.”
All juvenile cases are referred to the Juvenile Justice Board for rehabilitation rather than criminal prosecution, emphasizing a focus on corrective measures over punitive action.
