Abstract
The enforcement of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, in India faces complex challenges from sophisticated drug trafficking networks[1], the rapid emergence of new psychoactive substances, and the growing use of encrypted digital platforms by criminals. Artificial Intelligence provides a powerful solution by improving detection, prediction, and prevention capabilities in ways traditional methods cannot. This paper investigates AI’s innovative applications in NDPS enforcement, the operational and strategic opportunities it creates, and the technical, ethical, and legal obstacles it presents.[2] By analyzing key provisions of the NDPS Act, case studies, and recent incidents where AI assisted the Narcotics Control Bureau, this study highlights AI’s potential to revolutionize drug law enforcement. It calls for robust data systems, ethical frameworks, and legal updates to ensure responsible AI integration, aiming to position India as a global leader in technology-driven public safety by 2047.
- Introduction
The illicit trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances represents a profound global threat to public health, safety, and societal stability, with India particularly exposed due to its strategic location between the Golden Crescent, encompassing Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran, and the Golden Triangle, covering Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. The Narcotics Control Bureau, operating under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985, serves as India’s primary agency tasked with curbing this menace. However, conventional enforcement strategies, which depend heavily on manual surveillance, informant networks, and physical seizures, are increasingly inadequate against modern trafficking techniques[3]. These techniques include the use of drones to smuggle drugs across borders, encrypted dark web marketplaces to sell illicit substances anonymously, and the rapid development of synthetic drugs that evade existing regulations. As of April 2025, India’s drug abuse crisis affects an estimated 60 million people, with the government committed to achieving a drug-free nation by 2047 through campaigns like NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyan.[4]
[1]Chakrabarty, Indranil. “Narcoterrorism and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act: A National Security Perspective.” Issue 3 Int’l JL Mgmt. & Human. 7 (2024): 238.
[2]Gopal, S. (2022). Illicit Drug Trafficking at International Airports-Booking of Cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and Challenges and Problems before Prosecution under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985-Defects in the Complaint Charge Sheet and Other Reasons. Issue 4 Int’l JL Mgmt. & Human., 5, 1232.
[3]Silwal, S. K., & Bharadwaj, M. (2024). Combating Narco-Terrorism: An Analytical Study of India’s Legal Framework. Issue 3 Int’l JL Mgmt. & Human., 7, 3920.
[4]Patil, Ketan, and Astha Pandey. “Drug trafficking: a growing problem for India.” Asian Journal of Forensic Sciences 1.1 (2022): 34-41.