VINOD BHAT
New Delhi, September 18: The 2nd National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Heads of States and Union Territories (UTs) concluded on 17th September, 2025 in New Delhi, with participating States and UTs reaffirming their commitment to effectively combating drug abuse and achieving a drug-free India by 2047. The two-day conference, held under the theme “United Resolve, Shared Responsibility”, was inaugurated on 16th September, 2025 by the Hon’ble Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah. The conference organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was attended by ANTF Heads of 36 States and Union Territories apart from stakeholders from other government departments.
After the inspiring inaugural address by the Hon’ble Home Minister, four technical sessions were held on the current status and future roadmap of the Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTFs) to achieve the vision of a Drug-Free Bharat by 2047, along with the effective utilisation of the NCORD mechanism. During the deliberations, along with whole of government approach, emphasis was laid on the need for States and UTs to undertake detailed hotspot mapping ranging from areas of illicit cultivation to urban ghettos to enable targeted interventions. Focus was also given on connecting street-level narcotics incidents with transnational syndicates, with special attention on coastal and maritime trafficking routes. The conference also delved into the important aspect of demand and harm reductions with panellists from various area of work in this field.
The second day of the conference focused on strengthening international and inter-agency coordination in narcotics cases, with detailed deliberations on cooperation with INTERPOL and foreign agencies, deportation of fugitives, and the legal and operational frameworks for handling narcotics offenders. A dedicated session was also organised on the PITNDPS Act, with particular emphasis on mapping narcotics financial networks and the growing importance of financial intelligence (FI) in NDPS investigations. The conference also explored the effective use of digital databases and forensic in drug-related investigations and the issue of diversion of pharmaceutical drugs especially prescription drugs for non-medical use.
In this two-day event, best practices adopted by various states in combating the drug menace, showcasing innovative and multi-pronged approaches that integrate technology, inter-agency coordination, and community engagement were also highlighted.
In his valedictory address, Sh. Anurag Garg, DG, NCB underlined the need to move from individual seizures and emphasized the need to investigate the backward and forward linkages to break the backbone of drug trafficking cartels. He also urged about the use of financial investigations, mobile forensics, NIDAAN Portal as well as effectively applying the PITNDPS Act provisions. Sh. Anurag Garg also highlighted the involvement of all stakeholders to come together and share intelligence and investigation inputs especially about narco-offenders in foreign countries by using available platforms of multi-agency co-ordination meetings. He further added that every ANTF should identify ten cases under investigation and monitor them to ensure 360° investigation. At same time he emphasised the need for state agencies to refer appropriate cases to central agencies like NCB for probing complex interstate linkages and foreign linkages, NIA for probing narco terrorism and ED for probing money laundering.
The DG said every ANTF must have a dedicated cell of experts to deal with the challenges arising out of use of darknet market and cryptocurrency in drug trafficking. Quoting Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Sh. Anurag Garg called upon adopting a sensitive approach to deal with the issue related to the drug menace in the country, saying ANTFs and all other stakeholders should take it as a mission to save our youth from the scourge which may otherwise hollow out our society. He also urged for a collective and strategic unified action across Centre and States to realise Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a Drug-Free India by 2047.
