In a decisive move to combat drug trafficking, the Indian government is preparing to deport over 16,000 foreign nationals involved in the illegal drug trade. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is overseeing this operation, which aims to remove individuals implicated in drug-related crimes from Indian territory.
The foreign nationals facing deportation originate from countries including Bangladesh, the Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Ghana, and Nigeria. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) provided the reports that led to this governmental action. These individuals have been accused of various involvement in the drug trade including trafficking and transportation, and they are currently held in detention facilities across various Indian states.
The deportation procedures will be in accordance with the new immigration laws. The 16,000 foreign nationals are those who have been involved in drug trafficking and related crimes, including drug transport. They are currently detained across various states.
Significant drug seizures have been made over the last decade, with over one crore kilograms of drugs being confiscated. In the last five years, drugs worth over ₹11,311 crore were seized from different seaports across the country, representing 19 different cases. This information was presented in the Lok Sabha in response to a query about whether there had been an increase in drug seizures at ports over the last five years. The seizures included cases from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, and involved substances like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and tramadol.