Do you know what the full form of NCB is? Narcotics Control Bureau is a law enforcement agency responsible for combating drug trafficking in India. The bureau was established in 1987 under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. Let’s take a closer look at what this important organisation does!
About NCB
Narcotics Control Bureau is a law enforcement agency in India that deals with drug-related crimes. The bureau was established in 1988 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. It is headquartered in New Delhi. The primary objective of the bureau is to enforce the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and other related laws in order to prevent narcotics-related offences.
The bureau is headed by a Director-General, who is an officer of the Indian Police Service. The Narcotics Control Bureau has a staff of about 500 personnel, which includes Narcotics Control Officers, Narcotics Investigators, Narcotics Analysts, and Administrative Staff. The bureau is divided into five regional offices, which are located in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, and Guwahati.
The Narcotics Control Bureau is a member of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It is also a part of the South Asian Narcotics Control Commission (SANACC), which is a regional body comprising seven member states, namely, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Afghanistan.
Also see: UPSC Preparation Books
Functions of NCB
The Narcotics Control Bureau is responsible for the following functions:
- Preventing illicit traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
- Collecting and analysing information relating to drug trafficking.
- Undertaking anti-narcotics operations.
- Coordinating the efforts of state and central law enforcement agencies in combating drug trafficking.
- Providing training to law enforcement personnel in combating drug trafficking.
- Advocating for the enactment of stringent laws to combat drug trafficking.
Visit to know more about UPSC Exam Pattern
Powers of NCB
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is a bureau under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. The primary objective of NCB is to implement the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, of 1985. NCB also works towards liaison and coordination with other law enforcement agencies in India and abroad for Narcotics Control.
Also read about Tips for UPSC Preparation
NCB has been vested with the following powers:
- To seize Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
- To arrest offenders without a warrant.
- To enter and search any premises without a warrant.
- To stop and search for any conveyance.
- To arrest any person who has committed an offence punishable under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
- To require any person carrying on the business of transporting Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances to produce documents relating thereto.
- To seize Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances found in any conveyance.
- To take samples of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
- To require any person to produce Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances for examination.
- To take action for the prevention of illicit traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
- To take such measures as may be necessary for the destruction of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
- To take such measures as may be necessary for the prevention of abuse of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
- To take such measures as may be necessary for the treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration of addicts.
- To cooperate with the United Nations and its agencies in Narcotics Control.
- To perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
Mission of NCB
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is a government agency in India that is responsible for fighting drug trafficking. The NCB’s mission is to “prevent the smuggling of drugs into India and to control the use of legal drugs.” The NCB works closely with other government agencies, such as the Customs Department and the Intelligence Bureau, to achieve its goals.
Conclusion
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is a government agency responsible for fighting drug trafficking and abuse in India. Established as the first bureau of its kind in the world, NCB has been at the forefront of the war against drugs for over fifty years. With a staff of over 18,000 and an annual budget of more than Rs. 2,600 crore, NCB is one of the most important agencies in India’s law enforcement apparatus. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at what NCB does and how it works to keep our country safe from narcotics traffickers and abusers. We also invite students to get involved with NCB by joining its internship program or writing for its official website.