New task force to target drug trafficking in Gujarat

In a move to combat drug-related crime, the Gujarat government announced the creation of a dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) on Monday (August 25, 2025).

The ANTF will consist of six specialised units to be established in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, and a strategic border zone. This zonal structure is designed to dismantle drug networks across the State.

The force will be staffed by 177 new personnel, including a Superintendent of Police, six Deputy Superintendents, and 13 Police Inspectors. This is a separate entity from the existing 34-member Narcotics Cell within the State CID, to which the ANTF will also report.

The task force will focus exclusively on investigating cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The force will utilise a dedicated data analysis and intelligence unit to gather information on criminal syndicates and inter-State offenders.

Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi stated the units will take “cutting-edge” action against drug mafias to ensure systematic investigations and secure strict punishments, including detention under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in NDPS Act (PIT-NDPS Act).

State Director General of Police Vikas Sahay said that these units will help the police maintain uniformity in the investigation of drug crimes. The cases registered by the ANTF units will be investigated in a systematic manner to ensure strict punishment for the accused.