Mumbai: In a significant move to combat the rising menace of drug abuse in the state, the Maharashtra government has introduced a bill to amend the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the Legislative Assembly. The proposed amendment aims to empower law enforcement agencies to take stronger action against organized drug trafficking networks.
Minister of State for Home Affairs, Yogesh Kadam, presented the bill and highlighted the urgent need to protect the youth from falling prey to drug addiction.
“This is not just a technical amendment to the law; it reflects our responsibility to safeguard society. We are committed to ensuring that the younger generation does not fall into the trap of narcotic substances,” he said while addressing the Assembly.
Key Highlights of the Proposed Amendment:
The bill seeks to redefine drug-related offenses as acts of organised crime under the MCOCA framework.
It will allow for stricter enforcement of cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
In the past five years, over 73,000 drug-related offenses have been recorded in the state, with illegal narcotics worth over ₹10,000 crore seized.
Minister Kadam emphasized that the amendment would pave the way for more effective action against gangs involved in the production, transport, distribution, and smuggling of narcotics. “This legislation will serve as a decisive step in our war against drugs,” he asserted.
The amendment is expected to enhance the legal framework and ensure tougher punitive measures against those responsible for endangering public health and safety through drug trafficking.
