Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): In a major crackdown on narcotics trade, the Police Headquarters (PHQ) has directed district police units across state to confiscate properties of drug peddlers involved in commercial-level drug smuggling. The directive applies to cases where the quantity of seized drugs exceeds limits defined under state provisions, officials said on Sunday.
This move marks a new push by the state government to curb drug trafficking at the business level. In cases where drugs are caught above the commercial limit, financial investigation will be conducted alongside the criminal case. The assets of the accused will be traced and presented before a tribunal, which will later approve the confiscation of property.
The Director General of Police (DGP) has informed the state’s narcotics wing and all police stations about commercial drug quantity limits, and has instructed them to initiate action accordingly.
Quantity Limits
Under the latest instructions, specific commercial quantity limits have been set for different narcotics. These include: Acetomine – 50 grams, Aniledrine – 50 grams, Charas and Hashish – 1 kilogram, Coca product – 50 grams, Coca leaf – 2 kilograms, Cocaine – 100 grams, Codeine – 1 kilogram, Etholomorphine – 200 grams, Ganja – 20 kilograms, Heroin – 250 grams, Morphine – 250 grams, Opium – 2.5 kilograms, Opium product – 250 grams, Pep – 50 grams, Dodachura – 50 kilograms, Methaclavulone – 500 grams, Diazepam – 500 grams, GHB Hydroxy Acid – 250 grams, Alprazolam – 100 grams, Fentanyl – 0.1 gram, LSD – 0.1 gram, and Methadone – 50 grams.
To curb drug smuggling in the state, now if drugs above the commercial limit are caught, the property of the accused will be traced and confiscated. The amount of the confiscated property will be deposited in the government treasury. DGP has issued instructions for this
KP Venkateswara Rao ADG, Narcotics, PHQ
Legal provisions
Offences under this Act are cognizable and non-bailable.
Offences punishable with imprisonment exceeding three years will be tried in a Special Court.
Cases involving commercial and medium quantity drugs will be heard in Special Courts, while those involving small quantity will go to Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) courts.
The remand period is set at 60 days for small and medium quantity cases, and 180 days for commercial quantity cases.
