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Hindustan Times
21-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Drug awareness drive in Haryana goes digital with podcast series
: In a yet another digitally driven innovative move, the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB) has started a podcast series to create awareness about drugs and mobilise public opinion to combat this menace. The initiative, spearheaded by HSNCB DGP OP Singh is an attempt to connect the public with often unseen work of the police through candid conversations with officers working on the ground. (HT Photo) The initiative, spearheaded by HSNCB director general (DG) OP Singh is an attempt to connect the public with often unseen work of the police through candid conversations with officers working on the ground. In its latest episode, the HSNCB chief sat down with two deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) Jagbir Singh and Satyender to discuss some of the biggest challenges the anti-narcotics drive is facing in Haryana. The next edition of the podcast will feature officers working on rehabilitation and de-addiction initiatives, continuing the Bureau's effort to present a 360-degree view of its anti-drug mission. 'This podcast is a bridge between the public and the police, offering authentic, unfiltered narratives from ground operatives who are at the heart of this critical enforcement effort,' OP Singh said. The conversation with DSPs in two different episodes touched on the growing abuse of pharmaceutical drugs as cheaper alternatives to hard narcotics, and the complexities involved in tackling inter-state drug trafficking networks. The conversation offers listeners an insight into the operational realities of drug enforcement like the patterns, tactics, and human costs. PHARMACEUTICAL DRUG ABUSE ON RISE The one portion of the podcast zeroed in on the disturbing rise in abuse of pharmaceutical drugs such as Tramadol, Tapentadol, Alprazolam, and codeine-based cough syrups. These medications--legal when prescribed-- are increasingly being misused as substitutes for costlier and harder-to-source drugs like heroin and opium, said Singh. According to the DSP heading the HSNCB's pharmaceutical enforcement wing, peddlers are exploiting legal loopholes and vulnerable supply chains to make these drugs available on the black market. 'These tablets are cheap, easy to conceal, and often fly under the radar,' he said, adding that teenagers and first-time users are particularly vulnerable due to the low cost and easy availability. The DGP underlined the need for tighter surveillance over medical supply chains, routine pharmacy audits, and public awareness about the hidden dangers of so-called 'milder' drugs. 'The damage these pharma drugs do — to health, families, and futures — is just as devastating,' he said, adding that Haryana has seen a record number of arrests of inter-state smugglers in the past year. WHY A PODCAST, AND WHY NOW? According to Singh, there is no better way to gain public confidence than to speak directly, truthfully, and transparently. 'These podcasts allow people to hear from those who are not just in uniform, but in the thick of action,' he said, pointing out that this medium also serves as a morale booster for field operatives, whose painstaking efforts often go unnoticed. 'What they say is not filtered through headlines, agendas, or studio debates . It is the truth from ground zero. HSNCB podcast is helping demystify policing, build trust, and foster community participation in the fight against drugs.' The decision to start awareness via the podcast comes close on the heels of Haryana recording a 29% rise in serious drug-related cases registered between January and June this year under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Police registered 1,858 first information reports (FIRs), up from 1,657 during the same period in 2024. Till June in 2025, Haryana Police registered 233 commercial quantity cases against 166 last year, showing a nearly 29% jump, as per official data.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
In a 1st, Haryana top cop launches podcast to discuss state's war on drugs
Chandigarh: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Director General of Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB), OP Singh, on Sunday launched a podcast series aimed at bringing citizens closer to the frontline of the state's battle against drugs. The podcast, led personally by the DGP, is envisioned as a bridge between the public and the police, offering authentic, unfiltered narratives from ground operatives who are at the heart of this critical enforcement effort. The DGP hosted two deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) from HSNCB, engaging them in an insightful conversation on two of the most pressing challenges confronting the anti-drug drive in Haryana — the rising misuse of pharmaceutical drugs as affordable alternatives to hard narcotics, and the complex network of inter-state drug trafficking. Through this candid and deeply informed dialogue, the DGP offered listeners a rare glimpse into the operational realities of drug enforcement — the patterns, tactics, and human costs that rarely make it into conventional news reports. One segment of the podcast focused on the disturbing rise in abuse of pharmaceutical drugs such as Tramadol, Tapentadol, Alprazolam, and codeine-based syrups — substances that are legal under medical supervision but are increasingly being misused as substitutes for costlier and harder-to-source drugs like heroin and opium. The DSP in charge of the HSNCB's pharmaceutical enforcement wing explained how peddlers have begun exploiting legal loopholes and vulnerable supply chains to make these drugs available on the black market. "These tablets are cheap, easy to conceal, and often fly under the radar," he said, adding that teenagers and first-time users are particularly vulnerable due to the low cost and easy availability. "The damage these pharma drugs do — to health, families, and futures — is just as devastating," he said. The second half of the podcast turned the spotlight on inter-state drug trafficking — a key concern for Haryana given its strategic location. The DGP spoke with a DSP who was instrumental in tracking and intercepting smuggling routes from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi. The officer narrated several operations in which large consignments of commercial quantity narcotics were seized based on actionable intelligence, surveillance technology, and inter-agency coordination. "Inter-state trafficking is no longer just about physical movement," the officer explained. "It's a sophisticated web involving digital payments, SIM box frauds, and fake identities. We're constantly evolving to stay ahead." MSID: 122798068 413 |
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Time of India
17 arrests, 11 FIRs daily: Haryana drug fight hits new high
Chandigarh: With an average of 17 arrests and 11 FIRs daily in the first six months of the year, Haryana's drug fight is at a new high. From Jan to June, police registered 1,858 FIRs under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, a 10.81% increase compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB). Arrests also climbed nearly 28%, with 3,051 people taken into custody. Drug seizures have surged as well. Heroin confiscations rose by 62.28%, cocaine by 93.15%, and MDMA by 86.21%. Meanwhile, seizures of tablets, opium mixer camper, opium plants, and injections have seen declines. The data also showed a 28.75% increase in serious drug-related cases compared to the same period last year. Arrests of suspects from outside Haryana increased by 34.5%, highlighting efforts to dismantle interstate smuggling networks. Cases involving multiple accused also nearly doubled, from 471 last year to 850 this year. O P Singh, DGP, HSNCB, informed that what stands out this year is the state's sharper focus on large-scale cases. "In 2025 so far, Haryana registered 233 commercial quantity cases, up from 166 last year —a nearly 29% jump. These cases involved larger amounts of drugs, often linked to organised networks. We are now working with a "top-down and bottom-up" approach — trying to track both the street-level suppliers and the big players behind the scenes, including financiers and logistics operators," Singh said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Investire è più facile che mai BG SAXO Scopri di più Undo Preventive detentions under the PIT-NDPS Act rose from 8 to 39 this year, and property seizures linked to drug profits have grown to Rs 87.19 lakh from Rs 23.40 lakh last year. Cocaine Seizures Up Activities 2024 2025 Percentage of change (2024 versus 2025) FIR 1,657 1,858 +10.81 Arrests 2,203 3,051 +27.79 Heroin 11.63kg 30.84kg +62.28 Cocaine 12.26g 179.01g +93.15 MDMA 39.76g 288.43g +86.21 Tablets 5,22,291 1,12,478 -364.34 *Source: Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau
Indian Express
03-07-2025
- Indian Express
From ganja to cocaine: Narcotic seizures signal shift in Haryana trafficking patterns
The seizure of cocaine and heroin in Haryana has recorded a sharp surge in the first six months of this year compared to the corresponding period in 2024, data from the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB) stated. The Haryana Police seized 30.84 kg of heroin in the first half of 2025, compared to 11.63 kg during the same period in 2024. 'This year's heroin recovery is about 2.65 times higher than last year's recovery,' an official said. Similarly, the seizure of cocaine also witnessed a dramatic rise – 179 grams were seized in six months this year, as against 12.26 grams in 2024. 'The quantity recovered in 2025 is more than 14 times higher than in 2024, pointing to a growing presence of synthetic and party drugs in the region,' the official said. In contrast, the seizure of ganja declined this year, with only 3,625 kg seized in the first six months, compared to 4,009 kg in 2024. However, opium seizures rose to 148 kg in 2025, up from 117 kg last year. O P Singh, Chief, HSNCB, said, 'In the first six months of 2025, the state has made major gains – more arrests, bigger drug hauls, and a clear focus on dismantling entire smuggling networks instead of just catching small-time peddlers.' According to official data, serious drug cases rose by 28.75 per cent, with 1,858 FIRs registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act from January to June 2025, up from 1,657 in the same period last year. The number of commercial quantity cases rose to 233 in 2025 from 166 in 2024 – a jump of nearly 29 per cent. These cases typically involve major drug hauls tied to organised trafficking networks. Arrests of suspects from outside the state also surged by 34.5 per cent, indicating intensified efforts to dismantle inter-state smuggling operations. There were also 850 cases involving multiple accused this year, a sharp rise from 471 in 2024. In total, 3,051 individuals were arrested during the first half of 2025 — up 27.79 per cent from last year. 'It's not just about making more arrests. The investigations are becoming more targeted and strategic,' Singh emphasised. The senior IPS officer further stated: 'We are now working with a 'top-down and bottom-up' approach – trying to track both the street-level suppliers and the big players behind the scenes, including financiers and logistics operators.' 'The crackdown has also included tougher legal action,' an official said. Under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, 39 individuals were arrested in 2025 — a sharp increase from just eight last year. Authorities are also targeting the financial backbone of the drug trade. 'So far, the police have seized property worth Rs 87.19 lakh, compared to Rs 23.40 lakh in 2024,' Singh said. 'This move toward financial investigations shows the state is treating drug trafficking not just as a crime, but as a business that needs to be dismantled from the inside out,' he said. Singh added: 'The focus now is on prevention and disruption, not just reaction. The state is moving toward a long-term plan: break the supply chains, seize the money, and go after the big players.' Sukhbir Siwach's extensive and in-depth coverage of farmer agitation against three farm laws during 2020-21 drew widespread attention. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
11-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Haryana tightens grip on drug networks, over 1,800 arrested till April
Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB) has arrested a total of 1,801 offenders, including 332 for possession or trafficking of commercial quantity drugs in the first four months of 2025, according to additional chief secretary (ACS-Home) Sumita Misra. Stating that the government has taken stringent action on the enforcement front, she said that in the first four months of 2025, the HSNCB carried out major operations and seized 22.40 kg of heroin. The HSNCB also seized 58 kg of charas, 1,521 kg of ganja, 87 kg of opium, and 6,766 kg of poppy straw. Authorities also confiscated 1,609 bottles, 48,982 capsules, 3,152 injectable narcotics, over 95,000 tablets, and 128 kg of opium poppy. In a statement Misra said that during this same period, 1,130 cases were registered under the NDPS Act, out of which 143 involved commercial quantities. She said that 34 offenders were detained under preventive sections of the PITNDPS Act, 1988. Misra has urged all citizens to proactively use the MANAS Helpline 1933 which is a 24x7 confidential service designed to empower the community in the fight against narcotics.
