Union Minister Amit Shah Inaugurates 2nd National ANTF Conference in New Delhi, Delhi

In September 2025, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Cooperation, inaugurated the 2nd National Conference of the Heads of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of states and Union Territories (UTs) in New Delhi, Delhi.

• During the two days event, Union Minister Amit Shah released the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Annual Report-2024 and launched the Online Drug Disposal Campaign.

Background:

ANTF Formation: In 2021, Union Minister Amit Shah directed all states and UTs to establish ANTF.

First Conference: The inaugural national ANTF conference was held in April 2023 in New Delhi.

About 2nd National ANTF Conference:

Theme: The event, organized by the NCB is held under the theme “United Resolve, Shared Responsibility”.

Participants: Some of the key dignitaries, including Govind Mohan, Secretary, MHA; Tapan Deka, Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB); and Anurag Garg, Director General (DG), NCB, were also present.

• The event witnessed the participation of Heads from 36 states and UTs, along with stakeholders from other government departments.

Analysis of the Efforts: The event held a comprehensive review and analysis of the measures taken by the stakeholders in combating the drug threat across India and discussed the roadmap for the future.

• The various aspects of drug supply, demand reduction and harm reduction including their national security implication and steps to be taken for strengthening of Drug Law Enforcement were also discussed.

Technical Sessions: The event included 8 technical sessions such as

1. Drug Free India @2047 – Criticality of ANTF and National Narcotics Coordination Portal (NCORD),
2. Dismantling Network linkages & Cartels -1&2,
3. Demand Reduction Initiatives – An Integrated Approach for Drug Free Bharat @2047
4. Deportation & Extradition of fugitives & Deportation of Narcotic Offenders
5. Financial Investigation & Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PITNDPS Act), 1988
6. Improving effectiveness in Investigation and Trials
7. Precursors, Synthetic Drugs & Clan Labs and
8. Dark Web & Cryptocurrency Investigations

Significance: This event serves as a key platform to advance Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi’s ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ initiative and develop a concrete strategic roadmap.

Narcotics Control Initiatives:

NCB Annual Report 2024: The report presents the data on drug seizures, destruction, cultivation eradication, arrests, and trends in narcotics trafficking across India. It highlights the progress made in combating drug trafficking in 2024.

Online Drug Disposal Campaign: It is a digital system, allowing transparent, speedy, and accountable disposal of seized narcotics.

• With this move, the seized drugs will not remain in storage for long periods. It can be destroyed systematically and monitored online, reducing the risks of leakage, theft, or misuse.
• From 2014–2025, seizures increased to Rs.35.21 lakh crore, and the value of drugs destroyed rose to Rs.71,600 crore.

About Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB):
Director General (DG) – Anurag Garg
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1986