Ahmedabad Emerges as ‘Epicentre’ for Drug Mafias, Bootleggers: ₹38.74 Crore Worth of Narcotics Seized in Six Months

Despite repeated claims by the government and enforcement agencies about curbing the drug trade, figures presented in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly paint a worrying picture of the spread of narcotics in Ahmedabad and other parts of the state. In just six months, between February and July 2026, police seized narcotics, liquor and other intoxicating substances worth ₹38.74 crore from Ahmedabad.

Of the total seizures, drugs and other narcotic substances worth ₹26 crore were recovered, including synthetic drugs, cannabis, charas and opium. In addition, police seized country-made and foreign liquor and beer worth ₹11.84 crore, along with intoxicating substances valued at around ₹18 lakh.

Drug Seizures More Than Double Liquor Value

A striking aspect of the figures is that the value of drugs and other narcotic substances seized during the six-month period was more than twice the value of liquor and beer recovered.

The figures have raised questions over the extent of the drug network operating in Ahmedabad. While the police have reported seizures worth nearly ₹39 crore, questions are being raised about how much contraband may have entered the city and been sold without being detected.

Crime Branch Among Major Seizure Units

According to the official figures, several police stations, particularly those located on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, recorded significant action against the illegal trade. Sola, Naroda, Vasna and Rakhial were among the police stations that reported notable seizures.

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch also seized significant quantities of foreign liquor, beer, cannabis, drugs and cough syrup during the six-month period.

How Much Narcotics Reach Ahmedabad Undetected?

The seizure figures have also triggered a larger question: if narcotics worth ₹38 crore were intercepted in just six months, how much more could have slipped through the enforcement net?

The scale of seizures suggests the city continues to face a substantial challenge from networks involved in the supply and sale of liquor, drugs and other intoxicating substances.

While the government and police publicise major seizures as evidence of enforcement action, the figures also underline the need to target the wider supply chain and take sustained measures to prevent narcotics from reaching consumers.

‘Safest City’ Tag Faces a Reality Check

Ahmedabad is often projected as one of Gujarat's safer cities, but the large-scale seizure of drugs, liquor and other intoxicants presents a contrasting picture.

The seizure of ₹38.74 crore worth of intoxicating substances in six months raises concerns not only about the availability of drugs in the city but also about the effectiveness of efforts to dismantle the networks supplying them.