Maharashtra minister Yogesh Kadam on Thursday directed officials to intensify action against the drugs trade across the state, reported the PTI.

Efforts must be stepped up to curb drug trafficking, especially along the coastal areas, where smuggling is rampant via sea routes, the minister of state for home (urban) said at a review meeting.

He stated that there was a need to provide specialised equipment and vehicles to coastal anti-narcotics units, according to the PTI.

Kadam instructed the concerned departments to expedite the identification of suitable premises for regional offices of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force and initiate recruitment to strengthen the force.

“The state government has already constituted the Anti-Narcotics Task Force to tackle drug-related crimes. There must be immediate recruitment to make the force fully functional and effective,” an official release quoting him as saying, according to the PTI.

Kadam stressed on the need to expedite trials in drug-related cases and directed that regular updates on pending cases be submitted.

“Proposals for special allowances and promotional incentives for personnel joining the task force should be prepared,” he added, the news agency reported.

Passenger from Bangkok held with Rs 14.5 crore drugs at Mumbai airport

Meanwhile, the officials from Mumbai Customs department seized over 14 kg of hydroponic weed valued at Rs 14.5 crore concealed in the trolley bag of a passenger who had arrived at the Mumbai airport from Bangkok in Thailand, the officials said on Thursday, as per the PTI.

According to the news agency, the anti-drug operation was conducted by the Airport Commissionerate of the Mumbai Customs in the early hours of Wednesday, he said.

Based on the spot profiling, the Mumbai Customs officials intercepted the passenger who landed at the international airport here from Bangkok, he said, the news agency reported.

During the examination of the baggage, the officials from Mumbai Customs personnel recovered 14.548 kg of hydroponic weed (marijuana), with an approximately value of Rs 14.5 crore in the illicit drug market, the official said.

The passenger was arrested under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, he said. 

(with PTI inputs)

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