Gujarat’s Narco Reward Policy: Over 87,000 Kg Drugs Seized, 2,500 Arrested

Ahmedabad : The Gujarat government’s first-of-its-kind Narco Reward Policy, launched in October 2021, has significantly strengthened the state’s fight against drug abuse and trafficking. The policy has led to the seizure of 87,607 kilograms of narcotic substances worth a staggering ₹16,155 crore and the arrest of over 2,500 accused as of December 2024. By incentivizing informants and law enforcement officers, the policy underscores the state’s zero-tolerance stance on drugs.

A Pioneering Step in Combating Drug Abuse

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat became the first state in India to implement a reward policy aimed at curbing drug-related crimes. Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi emphasized the importance of eradicating the “pollution of drugs” from society, highlighting that drug abuse poses a grave threat to the youth and society as a whole. “Drugs might provide a temporary high, but their long-term effects are devastating. The youth must report drug activities to the police to help build a drug-free society,” Sanghvi said.

Achievements Under the Narco Reward Policy

Since its launch, the Narco Reward Policy has incentivized informants and law enforcement officers, resulting in several significant milestones:

Seizures: 87,607 kilograms of drugs worth ₹16,155 crore have been confiscated.

Arrests: Over 2,500 individuals involved in drug trafficking have been apprehended.

Rewards Granted:

The DGP Committee approved rewards totaling ₹51,202 for 64 individuals.

The ACS, House Level Committee sanctioned rewards amounting to ₹6.36 crore for 169 individuals.

A proposal to distribute ₹5.13 crore in rewards to 737 people has been submitted to the NCB Committee.

How the Policy Works

The Narco Reward Policy offers monetary rewards to informants, police officers, and officials who contribute to drug seizures and successful prosecutions under the NDPS Act, 1985. The reward amounts are determined based on factors such as the accuracy of the information provided, the risks involved, and the efforts taken during operations.

Key Provisions:

Eligibility for Rewards:

Informants who provide actionable intelligence leading to the seizure of narcotics or illegal assets.

Law enforcement officers who successfully investigate, prosecute, and prove cases under the NDPS Act.

Officials from other departments aiding in uncovering violations of the NDPS Act.

Reward Structure:

Informants can receive up to 20% of the value of the seized substances.

Government employees can earn a maximum career reward of ₹20 lakh, with a cap of ₹2 lakh per case.

Private individuals assisting in office work are eligible for ₹2,500 per case.

Special Provisions:

Rewards can be granted posthumously to legal heirs or nominees of deceased informants or officers.

Rewards are sanctioned by a competent authority and paid in full as prizes.

A Comprehensive Fight Against Drugs

Gujarat Police’s zero-tolerance approach toward drugs has made the state a national leader in drug seizures. The addition of the Narco Reward Policy has further galvanized efforts to control the menace of drugs, even as its influence spreads from metropolitan cities to rural areas.

By introducing this policy, the Gujarat government aims to bring drug peddlers under control and safeguard its youth from the dangers of substance abuse. The availability of high rewards serves as a powerful motivator for informants and law enforcement personnel, encouraging them to take proactive measures against drug-related activities.