Chandigarh: The latest annual report of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has raised serious concerns over the changing pattern of drug abuse in Punjab, warning that pharmaceutical opioids are emerging as the state’s “second wave” of addiction after heroin. Punjab recorded the country’s highest seizure of codeine-based cough syrup in 2025, with 8,95,508 bottles confiscated by enforcement agencies.
Pharma Opioids Under Scanner
According to the NCB report, released by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, inexpensive and legally manufactured medicines are increasingly being diverted for illegal consumption. Drugs such as Buprenorphine, Tramadol and Alprazolam are allegedly being routed through non-compliant pharmacies, making them easily available as substitutes for heroin.
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The report said the misuse of pharmaceutical opioids has created a new challenge for enforcement agencies, as these substances originate from legal supply chains but are diverted into illicit markets.
Punjab Leads Heroin Seizures
Punjab also accounted for 2,086 kg of heroin seizures in 2025, representing nearly 58 per cent of the national total. The NCB said this underlines the state’s central role in drug trafficking routes linked to the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran corridor.
The report further identified Punjab as the epicentre of drone-based cross-border smuggling. Of 305 drone-related drug trafficking cases detected nationwide last year, 298 were reported from Punjab. Authorities seized 461 kg of narcotics in these cases, including 449.7 kg of heroin and 9 kg of methamphetamine.
Digital Drug Trade Expands
The NCB also flagged the growing use of encrypted messaging platforms for narcotics trafficking. According to the report, Telegram has emerged as a major platform for advertising and selling drugs, with public channels displaying product catalogues, prices and delivery details.
WhatsApp and Signal are also being used by traffickers, creating enforcement challenges due to encrypted communication, disappearing messages and anonymous payment systems.
Synthetic Opioids Pose New Threat
The report identified ultra-potent synthetic opioids known as nitazenes as another emerging threat. These substances are believed to be several hundred times more powerful than heroin and pose a serious risk due to their potency and trafficking potential.
The NCB also warned that Myanmar has overtaken Afghanistan as the world’s leading source of illicit opium, while the porous India-Myanmar border continues to facilitate trafficking, local addiction, arms smuggling and terror financing.
The report concluded that India must strengthen border security, digital surveillance and pharmaceutical distribution controls to counter the evolving narcotics threat.
