Drug Trafficking Landscape & Response in India (2026)
India sits between two major drug‑producing zones: the Golden Crescent and the Golden Triangle. While the West once dominated heroin, the International Narcotics Control Board now cites Myanmar as the top opium source, and East‑Southeast Asia as a major methamphetamine hub.
Key Developments (2026)
- Maritime drug entries reported at Gujarat, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- Domestic production using diverted pharmaceutical ingredients is rising.
- Possession of small heroin quantities attracts up to six months’ imprisonment, while large‑scale manufacturers often receive minimal penalties.
- The Narcotics Control Bureau notes a surge in drone‑aided smuggling, especially over Punjab.
- Traffickers exploit the darknet and cryptocurrencies.
- Government’s Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan claims to have sensitised over six crore women, yet gender‑specific facilities remain scarce.
Important Facts
• Punjab hosts an extensive network of de‑addiction centres offering opioid substitution therapy. However, most Integrated Rehabilitation Centres are urban, while high‑density addiction pockets lie in rural border villages.
• Physical abuse and