Even as law enforcement intensifies its crackdown on drug networks, Nagpur has seen a decline in cases and arrests under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in 2024. Data from Nagpur Police reveals that 285 cases were registered this year, a sharp drop from 434 in 2023. The number of accused apprehended also fell from 571 in 2023 to 396 in 2024.
Despite this decline, the total value of seized narcotics has surged, highlighting that while fewer cases were registered, larger quantities of high-value drugs were confiscated. In 2024, Nagpur Police seized contraband worth ₹4.79 crore, with mephedrone (MD) drugs accounting for ₹3.97 crore of the total. Ganja, the second-highest seized substance, was valued at ₹69 lakh.
Yearly Comparison of NDPS Cases and Drug Seizures
2024
• Cases Registered: 285
• Total Seized Contraband Value: ₹4.79 crore
• Total Arrests: 396
2023
• Cases Registered: 434
• Total Seized Contraband Value: ₹3.51 crore
• Total Arrests: 571
2022
• Cases Registered: 279
• Total Seized Contraband Value: ₹3.27 crore
• Total Arrests: 399
Major Drug Seizures in 2024
• Mephedrone (MD) Drugs: ₹3.97 crore (109 cases)
• Ganja: ₹69 lakh (82 cases)
• Charas: ₹1.75 lakh (70 cases)
• Doda: ₹10.54 lakh (2 cases)
Shift in Drug Trade Trends
The decline in cases and arrests raises questions about the changing nature of the drug trade in Nagpur. While some believe it reflects a reduction in narcotics activity, others point to evolving smuggling techniques that make it harder for law enforcement to track and intercept shipments.
Nagpur’s strategic location as a transit hub has made it a hotspot for drug trafficking, with multiple high-value seizures reported in recent months. Law enforcement agencies continue to monitor and dismantle narcotics networks, but the paradox of rising seizures alongside fewer arrests suggests traffickers are adopting more sophisticated methods to evade detection.