K.C. VERMA
DIRECTOR GENERAL

The drug scenario in India in 2006 followed familiar patterns, with opium and heroin and cannabis herb and resin remaining the most trafficked and abused substances. The seizure data in respect of these drugs recorded a marginal increase due to effective enforcement. The seizure figures of 2006 were, however, remarkable on account of two unusually large interdictions, namely that of a single seizure of 200 kg of cocaine by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on June 3 at Mumbai and 4,400 kg of methaqualone by the police at Delhi on August 27. The seizure of ephedrine also registered a significant increase mainly on account of two big catches by the NCB.

Notwithstanding the fact that the overall seizure data did not exhibit great deviations from the average, there were clear indicators of qualitative changes in the trafficking patterns which need to be viewed as warning signals.

The most disconcerting development during the year 2006 was the evidence of foreign based drug groups attempting to establish facilities for the manufacture of Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) in India. One operational ATS laboratory was dismantled by the NCB in Gurgaon, on the outskirts of the national capital. Two other attempts were thwarted by the NCB, one each at Mumbai and Kolkata. These attempts were apparently inspired by the mistaken belief that the precursor ephedrine would be easily available.

For India, synthetic drugs constitute a new challenge which requires a well considered response. The formulation of an effective counter strategy shall need to overcome factors such as inadequate interdiction capabilities of enforcement agencies, lack of awareness amongst demand control professionals, insufficient technical support and less than ideal training opportunities.

Drug trafficking via the Internet, the so-called 'Internet pharmacy', is growing in magnitude and complexity. A wide base of IT networks and young entrepreneurs skilled in modern management techniques, coupled with a huge difference in prices of pharmaceutical preparations, have made India an attractive platform for such activities. During the year 2006, the NCB detected one more online pharmacy. A high level of investment and alertness is needed to counter such trafficking activities.

Also of concern, but to a lesser extent, is the abuse of cocaine and synthetic drugs, which remains confined to the richer strata of society. Part of the attraction is the 'elitism' associated with the abuse of an expensive drug. Anecdotal evidence continued to be received regarding abuse of pharmaceutical preparations, more particularly codeine based cough syrups, depressants and buprenorphine.

The abuse of propoxyphene appeared to be more prevalent in some of the North Eastern states. Reliable statistics regarding abuse or trafficking of substances not covered by the NDPS Act are, however, not available.

On the positive side, a remarkable aspect of the drug scene in India in the year 2006 was the absence of any spurt in the supply of heroin, notwithstanding the record production of about 6100 tons of opium in Afghanistan. While a few multi-kilo consignments of heroin were interdicted, available intelligence and the overall behaviour of street level purity and prices indicated that there was no significant increase in supply. Credit for this must go to the enforcement efforts within the country.

During the year 2006, Indian enforcement authorities remained in vibrant contact with enforcement agencies of several countries to prevent and suppress illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The international cooperation resulted in several achievements, both in India and abroad. Notable amongst these was the unearthing of an Internet pharmacy, operating in India and the USA; the seizure of 165 kg of ephedrine in Mexico; the neutralization of two attempts to establish laboratories for the manufacture of synthetic drugs in India and the steady exchange of information with some agencies abroad. Effective cooperation also resulted in several successful controlled deliveries.

As per its charter, the NCB fulfilled India's international obligations and continued to extend assistance to the concerned authorities in foreign countries, as also international organizations. The NCB hosted the third Senior Officers' Meeting of the Pentalateral Cooperation (New Delhi - January 11-13, 2006) whereat delegations from India, China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand had professional discussions, culminating in the 'Delhi Statement'. The NCB also hosted an agency level bilateral meeting on drugs with China. Drug professionals from India shared their experience, knowledge and best practices at several platforms like the Asia Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference (ADEC - Tokyo - February, 2006), International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC - Montreal - May, 2006), Sub Commission on Narcotic Drugs (Jordan - June, 2006), and the Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (HONLEA - Bangkok - November, 2006).

Cooperation in the sphere of countering drug trafficking also formed part of bilateral discussions of India with other countries, as also in the deliberations of various Joint Working Groups of India and other countries. During the year, India hosted a visit by Mr. Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the UNODC, and the heads of the Tajikistan Drug Control Authority, Israel Drug Agency and the China National Narcotics Control Commission. Enforcement officials of several countries and agencies also visited NCB Headquarters for operational liaison.

It gives me great pleasure to present this Annual Report of the Narcotics Control Bureau. The Report analyses the trends, developments and seizure data for the year 2006. I would like to put on record my gratitude to the various enforcement agencies for always giving their unstinted cooperation to the Narcotics Control Bureau.