Target 2029: How big is India’s drug challenge? What the latest numbers tell us

Faced with expanding border smuggling routes and a growing domestic market for synthetic narcotics, the government has targeted the eradication of the country’s illicit drug trade by December 31, 2029. At a conference of top anti-narcotics officers on Tuesday, Union home minister Amit Shah told senior enforcement officers they would have to change how they work: switch from meeting mode to mission mode, from reporting mode to delivering results, and from counting seizures to ending trafficking networks.

It will not be easy, he cautioned them. “The fight against drugs is the most difficult of all battles, but it can’t be abandoned and must be won by December 31, 2029,” Shah said.

In 2025, law enforcement agencies across the country arrested 183,672 people in narcotics cases, up nearly 45% from 126,516 in 2022.

As part of the ongoing efforts, the government had told agencies to use preventive detention under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act. The law permits holding habitual traffickers for up to two years without bail and freezing illicit assets.

Shah has asked drug enforcement agencies to use this 1988 edition law to detain habitual or major drug players to curb their activities and also cripple their finances.

A government spokesperson said 811 of the 1,000 people identified nationwide for action under this law have already been taken into custody.

Kerala led nationwide in enforcement action with 42,880 arrests and 40,398 registered cases. Seizures included 5,976 kg of ganja alongside synthetic party drugs (23.6 kg MDMA and 1,567 LSD blots).

Punjab registered 30,808 cases and 38,477 arrests. Seizures include 19.1 million tablets, 35,531 kg of poppy husk, and over 2,085 kg of heroin.

Maharashtra reported 16,941 cases and 14,419 arrests with large quantities of opium (2,962 kg) and mephedrone. Seizures include 23,019 kg of marijuana, 2,962 kg of opium and 108 kg of cocaine.

Tamil Nadu registered 8,890 cases and 12,954 arrests, primarily involving ganja (25,256 kg) and synthetic pills.

To be sure, a higher number of cases or seizures could also indicate that drug law enforcement agencies (DLEAs) are active, filing FIRs and making arrests regularly. Cases could also be higher due to the state’s size and population.)

Odisha seized 219,542 kg (34.95%); Rajasthan 59,196 kg (9.42%); Andhra Pradesh: 45,912 kg (7.31%); Uttar Pradesh: 41,743 kg (6.64%) and West Bengal: 34,515 kg (5.49%).

Punjab seized 2,085.55 kg (58.47%); West Bengal: 287.72 kg (8.07%); Haryana: 150.19 kg (4.21%); Uttar Pradesh: 140.00 kg (3.92%); Manipur: 129.11 kg (3.62%)

New Delhi seized 2,102.72 kg (41.13%); Uttar Pradesh: 655.89 kg (12.83%); Jammu and Kashmir: 558.83 kg (10.93%); Bihar: 378.72 kg (7.41%); Himachal Pradesh: 376.76 kg (7.37%)