Major Anti-Drug Operation in Nagaur Results in 150 Arrests and Significant Seizures
In a substantial crackdown on narcotics trafficking in Rajasthan, police in Nagaur district have arrested 150 individuals since August 2025, including 12 alleged ringleaders accused of operating a sophisticated drug distribution network that had quietly established itself in the Marwar region. The ongoing operation, named Operation Neelkanth, represents a significant shift in law enforcement focus for an area traditionally concerned with liquor smuggling.
Operation Neelkanth Targets Supply Chain
Superintendent of Police Mridul Kachawa revealed that the crackdown began on August 4, 2025, following community outreach efforts where drug abuse emerged as a growing concern among local residents and stakeholders. Since the launch of Operation Neelkanth, police have registered 91 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, marking a dramatic 200% increase compared to the period from August of the previous year through February.
"The 12 alleged ringleaders were central to the entire nexus," Kachawa explained. "Our investigation indicates they were responsible for procuring narcotics and facilitating distribution not just within Nagaur but across various parts of the district."
Substantial Narcotics Seizure Valued at Rs 8.2 Crore
The anti-drug operation has yielded substantial results in terms of contraband confiscation. Police have seized narcotics with an estimated street value of Rs 8.2 crore during the ongoing crackdown. The recovered substances include:
- 3,347 kilograms of doda post
- 15 kilograms of opium
- 1,488 kilograms of MD drugs
While doda post and opium represent substances traditionally consumed in the region, the significant quantity of MD drugs surprised investigators. The seizure of 1,488 kilograms of MD drugs indicates that drug networks were allegedly bringing in chemicals to process banned synthetic substances for distribution throughout the area, suggesting a more sophisticated operation than previously suspected.
Property Seizure Under NDPS Act Provisions
In a notable escalation of enforcement measures, Nagaur police have invoked Section 68F of the NDPS Act, 1985, which empowers authorized officers to seize or freeze properties suspected to be illegally acquired through drug trafficking activities. These properties remain subject to forfeiture proceedings under Chapter VA of the Act.
"We have exercised these powers during the ongoing anti-drug crackdown," confirmed Superintendent Kachawa. Police have already seized properties linked to two alleged peddlers identified as Ganesh Ram and Ram Niwas, demonstrating a comprehensive approach that targets not just the individuals involved but also the financial infrastructure supporting the drug trade.
The Nagaur anti-drug operation represents one of the most significant crackdowns in recent Rajasthan history, with law enforcement transitioning from a traditional focus on liquor smuggling to confronting a more complex narcotics trafficking network that had established roots in the Marwar region.
