U Sudhakar ReddyThe Drug Control Administration (DCA) offi-cials in the state are not empowered to arrest drug traffickers and cannot book cases under the stringent Narcotic Drugs and Psy- chotropic Substances Act.
As such, drug peddlers go scot free as DCA’s hands are tied up due to legal con- straints. Drug controllers in the state want amendment to the Act empowering them in the wake of rising cases of diversion of pharma inter- mediary products for mak- ing narcotic drugs.
Only the police, the Direc- torate of Revenue Intelli- gence (DRI), Narcotic Drugs Control Bureau and customs officials are empowered under this act.
The DCA assistant direc- tor (Vigilance and Intelli- gence), Mr K. Rajabhanu, says, “to punish the offend- ers, a thorough investigation needs to be conducted and evidence collected to strengthen the prosecution.
As per the suggested amendment, the burden of proof shall lie with the person possessing alleged spurious drugs. This is already in vogue in UP West Bengal.” The state government has to notify granting powers to the drug inspectors on par with the police to enforce NDPS Act. Drug controllers are also demanding powers to arrest without warrant.
They have also asked for immunity from prosecution as the drug offenders are fil- ing false cases against the officials. Meanwhile, Cen- tral Drugs Standard Organi- sation has announced a reward scheme to curb the menace.
As such, drug peddlers go scot free as DCA’s hands are tied up due to legal con- straints. Drug controllers in the state want amendment to the Act empowering them in the wake of rising cases of diversion of pharma inter- mediary products for mak- ing narcotic drugs.
Only the police, the Direc- torate of Revenue Intelli- gence (DRI), Narcotic Drugs Control Bureau and customs officials are empowered under this act.
The DCA assistant direc- tor (Vigilance and Intelli- gence), Mr K. Rajabhanu, says, “to punish the offend- ers, a thorough investigation needs to be conducted and evidence collected to strengthen the prosecution.
As per the suggested amendment, the burden of proof shall lie with the person possessing alleged spurious drugs. This is already in vogue in UP West Bengal.” The state government has to notify granting powers to the drug inspectors on par with the police to enforce NDPS Act. Drug controllers are also demanding powers to arrest without warrant.
They have also asked for immunity from prosecution as the drug offenders are fil- ing false cases against the officials. Meanwhile, Cen- tral Drugs Standard Organi- sation has announced a reward scheme to curb the menace.
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