The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has destroyed 30,000 kg of seized drugs at four locations – Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi and Guwahati — in the virtual presence of Union Home Minister.

Destruction of Seized Narcotic Drugs

• Section 52-A of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 allows probe agencies to destroy seized substances after collecting required samples.
• Officials concerned must make a detailed inventory of the substance to be destroyed.
• A five-member committee comprising the area SSP, director/superintendent or the representative of the area NCB, a local magistrate and two others linked to law enforcement and legal fraternity is constituted.
• The substance is then destroyed in an incinerator or burnt completely leaving behind not any trace of the substance.

Exact procedure that is followed

• The agency first obtains permission from a local court to dispose of the seized narcotic substances.
• These substances are then taken to the designated place of destruction under a strict vigil.
• The presiding officer tallies the inventory made at the storeroom with that material brought to the spot.
• The entire process is videographed and photographed.
• Then one by one, all the packets/gunny bags of the substance/s are put in the incinerator.
• As per rules, committee members cannot leave the place until the seized drugs have been completely destroyed.

Which agency is authorized to carry out such an exercise?

• Every law enforcement agency competent to seize drugs is authorized to destroy them after taking prior permission of the area magistrate.
• These include state police forces, the CBI and the NCB among others.

Why destroy seized drugs?

• The hazardous nature of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances, their vulnerability to theft, substitution, and constraints of proper storage space are among the reasons that make agencies destroy them.
• There have been instances when seized narcotics were pilfered from the storeroom.
• To prevent such instances, authorities try to destroy seized drugs immediately after collecting the required samples out of the seized substances.

UPSC 2022 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now