Gujarat emerges as major hub for drug trafficking, over 1.3 Lakh kg of narcotics seized in six years

Gujarat has emerged as a major hub for drug landing and trafficking networks, with enforcement agencies seizing more than 1.30 lakh kilograms of narcotics in the six-year period from 2020 to 2025.

The seized contraband includes 71,487 kg of ganja, 56,477 kg of opium, 204 kg of cocaine and 2,047 kg of synthetic drugs, highlighting the scale and diversity of narcotics flowing through the state.

Authorities and experts point to Gujarat’s extensive coastline and strategically located ports as key factors behind its growing prominence in international drug trafficking. 

Ports such as Kandla, Mundra, Pipavav, Gandhidham and Porbandar have reportedly become preferred entry points for drug mafias operating across borders.

International drug syndicates are believed to be using Gujarat’s maritime borders to smuggle narcotics originating from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Once landed along the coast or at ports, the drugs are transported onwards to other parts of India. 

In several cases, consignments are transferred mid-sea to other vessels or partially delivered to ports across the country before being concealed in private locations.

Charas, heroin—often referred to as “sugar”—and cocaine originating from Afghanistan are considered to be of particularly high quality, officials said. Some of these narcotics are also routed onwards to other countries through Iran, Karachi and the Gujarat coastline, making the state a critical link in transnational drug supply chains.

Experts have also raised concerns about substance abuse within the state, noting that alcohol and drug misuse has become increasingly common among young people. Social factors, such as young men and women living away from their families, have been cited as contributing to risky behaviour, including substance use in public spaces.

In an effort to curb narcotics trafficking and abuse, the Central government allocated ₹4.26 crore in financial assistance to Gujarat during the 2025–26 financial year.

Types of Drugs Seized

The narcotics intercepted in Gujarat broadly fall into three categories:

Opioid-based drugs: Heroin, opium, morphine, poppy straw and cocaine.

Cannabis-based drugs: Marijuana, hashish and hashish oil.

Synthetic drugs: ATS, MDMA, methaqualone, mescaline, LSD, mephedrone and ketamine.