Daijiworld Media Network - Gandhinagar

Gandhinagar, Sep 6: Gujarat Police will set up dedicated Anti-Narcotics Wings (ANWs) in every district and commissionerate, with the units directed to become operational within seven days, officials said on Sunday.

The specialised units will have exclusive responsibility for investigating offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and will function on the lines of the state-level Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF).

The decision was taken by Director General of Police (DGP) Gyanendra Singh Malik as Gujarat steps up its crackdown on drug trafficking and peddling.

According to police, the state has registered more than **3,700 cases under the NDPS Act** and arrested **5,346 accused** over the past five years.

During the same period, more than **1.36 lakh kg of narcotic substances**, estimated to be worth around **Rs 13,600 crore**, was seized.

Each ANW will comprise **eight personnel** — one police inspector, one police sub-inspector, two assistant sub-inspectors or head constables, and four police constables. Each unit will also be provided with a dedicated vehicle and driver.

At the district level, the ANWs will function under the direct supervision of the superintendent of police.

In the four major commissionerates, **Ahmedabad and Surat will each have two ANW units**, while **Vadodara and Rajkot will have one each**. These units will operate under the supervision of the respective joint or additional commissioners of police.

The ANWs will be designated as specialised task forces and will not be assigned duties unrelated to NDPS offences.

Their responsibilities will include maintaining continuous surveillance of drug peddlers and drug hotspots identified by the ANTF.

The units will also send proposals to CID Crime for preventive action under the **Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act** against habitual drug offenders.

The creation of the specialised wings will not absolve local police stations of their responsibility to detect narcotics offences.

However, Malik has directed that strict disciplinary action be taken if any negligence or laxity by local police is detected during investigations conducted by the ANWs.

The DGP had earlier directed local police to remain accountable for narcotics activity within their jurisdictions, even when cases are detected by specialised agencies.

Gujarat Police has also highlighted its **Drug Reward Policy**, under which police personnel and informants who provide information leading to action against drug networks can be rewarded.

The state has additionally introduced an **out-of-turn promotion policy** for personnel who perform duties involving risks to their lives.

As part of its anti-narcotics strategy, Gujarat Police is also using artificial intelligence. Police said an AI-based software called **NARIT** has been developed to detect activities on the dark web, trace financial trails and identify international links.

Scientific investigation methods are also being employed to strengthen investigations and improve conviction rates in narcotics cases.

Alongside enforcement measures, the state plans to modernise de-addiction centres to provide counselling and treatment to young people affected by drug addiction.

The overall strategy combines action against drug trafficking networks with rehabilitation measures for people struggling with substance dependence.