Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a state-level crackdown on drug trafficking and the destruction of seized narcotics worth ₹472.51 crore. The announcement makes the issue relevant for UPSC because narcotics trafficking links internal security, border management, public health, and inter-state police coordination.

What happened

Sarma launched a drugs disposal campaign at the 14th Assam Police Battalion headquarters in Daulasal, Nalbari district. He said seized drugs would be destroyed across nine districts. He also incinerated a portion of seized heroin, cannabis, methamphetamine, and other drugs, and used a road roller to crush bottles of illegal cough syrups.

Background and earlier position

Drug trafficking in Assam has long been treated as a policing and border-control challenge because illicit substances move across inter-state routes and border-adjacent corridors. Sarma said a joint approach between the Centre and Assam would help track illicit movement, identify history-sheeters, stop traffickers at borders before drugs enter Assam, and build stronger cases for prosecution.

What changed now