Mumbai, May 11: The Mumbai Police, including the Anti-Narcotics Cell and local police, registered 1,332 cases under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act between January and March 2026, including 1,080 consumption cases and 252 possession cases.
During the first three months of 2026, the highest number of cases registered were related to cannabis at 132, followed by MD at 82 and heroin at 16.
Police also seized various narcotic drugs worth more than Rs 37 crore during the period. From January to March 2026, the police arrested 1,287 individuals for allegedly either possessing or consuming drugs.
Mumbai sees sharp rise in NDPS cases
In 2025, a total of 7,623 NDPS FIRs were lodged, including 6,482 consumption cases and 1,141 possession cases. The highest number of cases that year were also related to cannabis at 676, followed by MD at 275 and heroin at 66.
In 2025, the Mumbai Police seized various drugs worth more than Rs 857 crore. Last year, the authorities arrested a total of 6,777 individuals who were allegedly involved in drug-related cases.
Sameer Wankhede, who worked in Mumbai as the Zonal Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau, stated that tackling modern drug trafficking has become increasingly challenging due to evolving smuggling methods and rising demand for narcotics.
He stated, “There are a few major challenges. One is the illegal import of hydroponic weed, which is a foreign drug. It is arriving every day at airports such as Mumbai and Delhi. This weed has been legalised in some foreign countries. Due to its easy availability and high demand in cities like Mumbai and Delhi, huge seizures are being made at airports every day. The second challenge is that criminals are using the dark web and cryptocurrency for drug transactions, and they try to evade the police and law enforcement agencies.”
Major drug busts reported in Mumbai
Over the last three months, Mumbai has witnessed several major drug-related cases. In the NESCO drug overdose case, police alleged that around 4,000 ecstasy pills were procured from Europe through cryptocurrency transactions, and 12 accused have been arrested so far.
In another major operation, the Mumbai Crime Branch seized around 5,000 MDMA and ecstasy pills worth nearly Rs 6 crore from Titwala and arrested multiple accused linked to the alleged supply network targeting partygoers and students.
Meanwhile, the Narcotics Control Bureau froze assets worth Rs 3.78 crore allegedly linked to drug trafficking and money laundering in Mumbai’s mephedrone racket cases.
Apart from these, Mumbai Police and the Anti-Narcotics Cell also registered several smaller cases across areas such as Andheri, Bandra, Dongri and Mira Road, where accused persons were arrested with MD, ganja, cocaine and ecstasy pills worth lakhs of rupees.
In separate raids conducted during the last three months, police busted local peddling networks allegedly supplying drugs to youngsters, party circuits and college students across the city and suburbs.
Agencies intensify crackdown on drug networks
Apart from the Mumbai Police, central agencies like the NCB (Narcotics Control Bureau), DRI (Directorate of Revenue Intelligence) and Customs have constantly been taking action against drug-related activities, seizing drugs and arresting criminals.
Law enforcement agencies remain hopeful that the drug racket can be eradicated. Echoing this, Sameer Wankhede stated, “It is possible to eliminate the drug racket because the NDPS Act is a very stringent and comprehensive law. Charges related to terrorism can also be invoked against such people. The Maharashtra government has also started invoking MCOCA against drug peddlers and suppliers. Legally and technically, the issue can be tackled if there is strong implementation of the law. Apart from strict implementation, awareness is also important. Residential associations, parents’ associations, schools and colleges must create awareness. Awareness and implementation go hand in hand; only then can drugs be stopped.”
The authorities recently arrested gangster Salim Dola from Turkey. Police said that he allegedly operated an MD racket in India from abroad. After his arrest, the authorities hope that several MD suppliers and criminals linked to the network will be caught in the net.
Wankhede added, “There are many kingpins operating from foreign countries. Recently, we saw people like Salim Dullah being extradited to the country. There are still a few major kingpins whom I do not want to name because they may get alerted. Several RCNs (Red Corner Notices) have been issued against such people, and I hope the law will take its own course and these people will be extradited soon. Individuals are operating from European and Middle Eastern countries who are sitting there and attempting to push drugs into India.”
Mumbai’s Drug Menace (Jan–Mar 2026)
● 1,332 total NDPS cases
● 1,080 consumption cases
● 252 possession cases
● 1,287 accused arrested
● Drugs worth Rs 37+ crore seized
Most Common Drugs in Cases (Jan–Mar 2026)
● Cannabis (Ganja): 132 cases
● MD: 82 cases
● Heroin: 16 cases
Mumbai’s Drug Menace — 2025 Full-Year NDPS Data
●7,623 total NDPS cases
● 6,482 consumption cases
● 1,141 possession cases
● 6,777 accused arrested
● Drugs worth Rs 857+ crore seized
Most Common Drugs in 2025
● Cannabis (Ganja): 676 cases
● MD: 275 cases
● Heroin: 66 cases
Also Watch:
Mumbai’s Drug Menace — Major Challenges
● Illegal import of hydroponic weed through airports
● Rising demand in metro cities like Mumbai and Delhi
● Use of dark web and cryptocurrency for drug transactions
● International kingpins operating from Europe and the Middle East
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