Gujarat has emerged as a major centre for drug trafficking, with enforcement agencies seizing more than 1.30 lakh kilograms of narcotics in the six years between 2020 and 2025.
The massive haul includes 71,487 kg of ganja, 56,477 kg of opium, 204 kg of cocaine and 2,047 kg of synthetic drugs, underlining the scale and variety of narcotics moving through the state.
Officials and experts attribute Gujarat’s growing role in drug trafficking to its long coastline and strategically located ports. Major ports such as Kandla, Mundra, Pipavav, Gandhidham and Porbandar are believed to have become key entry points for international drug syndicates.
According to authorities, criminal networks are using Gujarat’s maritime borders to smuggle drugs from countries such as Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Once the consignments reach the coastline or ports, they are transported to different parts of India. In several cases, drugs are transferred mid-sea to other vessels or partially offloaded at ports before being hidden at private locations.
Officials said charas, heroin — commonly known as “sugar” — and cocaine originating from Afghanistan are considered to be of high quality. Some of these drugs are also routed onward to other countries via Iran, Karachi and the Gujarat coast, making the state a crucial link in international drug trafficking networks.
Experts have also expressed concern over rising substance abuse within Gujarat, particularly among young people. Factors such as youth living away from families have been cited as contributing to risky behaviour, including drug and alcohol use in public places.
To strengthen efforts against drug trafficking and substance abuse, the Central government allocated ₹4.26 crore to Gujarat during the 2025–26 financial year.
Types of drugs seized
The narcotics seized in the state 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