The prevalence of psychotropic substances, particularly poppy straw, in drug seizures has shown an upward trend in recent years. In the past twelve months alone, the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) confiscated more than 10,000 kg of poppy straw, cleverly concealed within shipments of cattle feed. Notably, over 6,000 kg of this illicit substance was apprehended in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in the current week.
The majority of these seizures occurred in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. A recent interception on the Udaipur-Bhilwara highway revealed 120 bags of cattle feed concealing 5,057.3 kg of poppy straw. Legal procedures were promptly carried out, leading to the seizure of the illicit cargo, the vehicle, and the arrest of an individual under the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
In another incident, authorities discovered 1,131.90 kg of poppy straw in 57 plastic bags at a residence in Dhakdi village, Pipaliya Mandi, Mandsaur district, Madhya Pradesh.
The CBN, tasked with overseeing illegal opium poppy cultivation, licensing for narcotics drugs, and NDPS Act investigations, reported previous seizures, including 3,025 kg on the Mandsaur-Neemuch road in October 2023 and 2,597 kg in Gujarat in June of the same year.
In 2023, the CBN conducted a record number of anti-narcotics operations, resulting in 116 seizure cases, 150 arrests, and the confiscation of 70 tons (70,000 kg) of various drugs, including poppy straw, opium, heroin, and cannabis. Additionally, around Rs 1 crore in cash was recovered during these operations.
Poppy straw is classified as a narcotic drug under the NDPS Act, 1985, and unauthorized possession, sale, purchase, or use is subject to prosecution. The substance contains a minimal morphine content, and its misuse can induce a heightened effect similar to other drugs.
The CBN, in its Operation Prahaar last year, destroyed 10,326 hectares (25,526 acres) of illicit opium fields in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.
In September 2023, the government announced the annual licensing policy for opium poppy cultivation in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, expecting around 27,000 new farmers to receive licenses.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), another central coordinating agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs, reported its seizures, including 192 kg of opium, 6,833 kg of poppy straw, and 45,850 kg of ganja in 2022. In 2021, the NCB seized 445 kg of opium, 5,804 kg of poppy straw, and 55,883 kg of ganja.
