Delhi is setting its sights on becoming a drug-free capital by 2027, with Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena spearheading a comprehensive and coordinated strategy to combat drug abuse and trafficking. This ambitious goal involves collaborative efforts from the Delhi Police, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and other relevant agencies, signaling a determined push to eradicate the drug menace from the city.
The initiative, which was set in motion in late 2024, emphasizes a multi-pronged approach with specific targets and actionable plans. This includes the formation of specialized task forces dedicated to dismantling drug networks and targeting high-risk areas known for drug trafficking. Delhi's Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for Crime, Bhisham Singh, unveiled the detailed blueprint for this operation, highlighting that the focus will be on directly targeting and arresting drug peddlers through coordinated law enforcement efforts.
LG Saxena convened a high-level review meeting in November 2024, bringing together various departments responsible for combating drug abuse. During this meeting, he emphasized the urgency of the issue and instructed the involved agencies to prioritize the mission of making Delhi drug-free by 2027. A significant component of this initiative is a series of anti-drug campaigns, with a month-long pilot project launched in December 2024. This campaign aims to intensify efforts to arrest drug peddlers, recover illicit substances, and implement stringent measures in areas identified as hotspots for drug-related activities. This initiative builds upon an anti-drug campaign initially introduced by Saxena in December 2023.
The Delhi Police is actively conducting raids, surveys, and awareness drives targeting vulnerable locations such as hostels, schools, colleges, pan shops, pharmacies, bars, and clubs. They are also conducting random checks of auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to deter drug trafficking. Recognizing the importance of community involvement, the police are engaging hostel wardens, school principals, and university administrators to prevent drug-related incidents on their premises. Furthermore, the police have announced cash rewards for individuals who provide information on drug trafficking, ensuring anonymity to encourage public participation.
In April 2025, the Delhi Police demonstrated its commitment by incinerating over 1600 kg of illicit narcotics, estimated to be worth ₹2622 crore. The destruction event, attended by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, symbolized the government's zero-tolerance policy towards narcotics and its determination to create a safer and healthier capital. Special Commissioner Devesh Srivastava highlighted that in the past two years, the police have destroyed narcotics with an estimated international market value of ₹5,997 crore, with 1,789 cases registered under the NDPS Act in 2024 alone, leading to the arrest of 2,290 drug traffickers.
The comprehensive strategy also includes financial investigations, leading to the seizure of assets worth over ₹4 crore, with an additional ₹5 crore of assets under investigation. Proceedings under the PIT-NDPS Act are being proposed against repeat offenders to curb drug smuggling and trafficking.
Recognizing the severity of the problem, LG Saxena has underscored that drug abuse is not only a health concern but also a threat to national security, as drugs are being used to harm the younger generation and undermine the country's future. The Delhi Police has organized mega-events to raise awareness and reinforce its commitment to a "Drug-Free Delhi by 2027".
