Ernakulam Rural police register 3,908 NDPS cases; 4,138 arrested

The recent data from the Ernakulam Rural police, revealing 3,908 NDPS cases, 4,138 arrests, and significant drug seizures including 603 kg of ganja and 1.4 kg of MDMA, underscores the escalating drug menace in India and the intensified efforts by law enforcement to combat it. This incident is not isolated but reflects a broader national and global challenge with profound implications for internal security, public health, and socio-economic stability.

The **background context** for this surge in drug-related activities is multi-faceted. India's geographical location, nestled between the 'Golden Crescent' (Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan) and the 'Golden Triangle' (Myanmar, Laos, Thailand), makes it a vulnerable transit route for illicit drug trafficking. Kerala, with its extensive coastline and connectivity, has increasingly become a hub for both transit and consumption. The rise in synthetic drugs like MDMA, alongside traditional substances like ganja, points to evolving patterns in drug abuse and trafficking, often facilitated by technology and sophisticated criminal networks. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, is the principal legislation in India designed to prohibit the production, possession, sale, purchase, transport, storage, and consumption of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

**What happened** in Ernakulam Rural is a clear demonstration of proactive policing. The doubling of ganja seizures compared to the previous year highlights both the increased availability of drugs and the enhanced vigilance of the police force. The arrest of over 4,000 individuals and the jailing of seven under the stringent Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, 1988, signals a firm stance against drug peddlers and traffickers. The PITNDPS Act allows for preventive detention for up to one year without trial, specifically targeting those involved in illicit drug trafficking, thereby acting as a crucial deterrent.

**Key stakeholders** in this fight against drugs include: the **Ernakulam Rural Police** and the broader **Kerala Police**, who are at the forefront of intelligence gathering, investigation, and enforcement; the **Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)**, the central nodal agency for drug law enforcement and intelligence; the **State and Central Governments**, responsible for policy formulation, resource allocation, and international cooperation; the **Judiciary**, which ensures due process, fair trials, and appropriate sentencing; and critically, **local communities and civil society organizations**, who play a vital role in awareness campaigns, rehabilitation, and de-addiction programs. On the other side are the **drug traffickers and organized crime syndicates**, who exploit vulnerabilities and fuel this illicit trade, often with international linkages.

**Why this matters for India** is immense. The drug menace poses a severe threat to **internal security**, often funding terrorism and organized crime. Economically, it leads to loss of productivity, increased healthcare burdens, and illicit financial flows that destabilize legitimate economies. Socially, it devastates families, particularly impacting the youth, leading to increased crime rates and a breakdown of social fabric. Public health is severely compromised by addiction, HIV/AIDS, and other related diseases. The government's commitment to a 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' (Drug-Free India) is a testament to the gravity of this issue.

Historically, India's approach to drug control has evolved. Before the NDPS Act of 1985, various state and central laws, including the Opium Act of 1857 and the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1930, governed drug control. The NDPS Act was enacted to consolidate and amend the laws relating to narcotic drugs, to make stringent provisions for the control and regulation of operations relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and to implement the provisions of the International Conventions on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances to which India is a signatory, such as the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, and the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971.

From a **constitutional perspective**, the state's responsibility to tackle drug abuse is enshrined in **Article 47** of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), which mandates the State to endeavor to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health. Furthermore, drug control falls under the **Concurrent List** of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, allowing both the Parliament and state legislatures to make laws on criminal law and criminal procedure, thereby enabling states like Kerala to enact and enforce specific measures under the central NDPS and PITNDPS Acts.

**Future implications** suggest a need for a more comprehensive and collaborative approach. While enforcement is crucial, equal emphasis must be placed on prevention through education and awareness, and rehabilitation for drug users. International cooperation is indispensable to dismantle cross-border trafficking networks. The rise of synthetic drugs and the use of darknet markets necessitate advanced investigative techniques and cyber forensics. Continued vigilance, adaptive strategies, and a sustained 'whole of government' and 'whole of society' approach will be vital in mitigating this persistent threat to India's future.