Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: The Role of RPF under the NDPS Act

By: Manoj Yadava IPS
Director General Railway Protection Force

NEW DELHI, 26 JUNE: Every year, 26^th June is observed as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, serving as a global reminder of the need to combat one of the most serious threats not only to human health and safety but also to the future of humanity. As India faces increasing challenges related to rising consumption of narcotics in the younger sections of our population due to easy availability of narcotics, the Indian Railways, and RPF have taken a resolve not to allow the railways be used by narcotics smugglers for their nefarious designs.

Since the Indian Railways, due to its vast network and high passenger volume, was beginning to emerge as a significant conduit for narco-trafficking, a major development occurred in 2019 when the Government of India empowered the Railway Protection Force (RPF) under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. This authorization enabled the RPF to search for and seize narcotics being transported through the railway network, thereby strengthening efforts to combat narcotics trafficking across Indian Railways. This decision aligned with the Government of India’s comprehensive “whole-of-government approach” in the war against narcotics, reinforcing the RPF’s role in national security beyond its traditional duties.

RPF’s Mandate under NDPS Act

The grant of authority under the NDPS Act enabled RPF to act not just as a custodian of railway property but as a proactive law enforcement agency in the domain of narcotics control. The large and relatively unmonitored railway ecosystem—characterised by open access platforms, high-frequency passenger movement and vast geographical spread—was being increasingly exploited by traffickers to move contraband, particularly Ganja, and this timely decision has brought about a transformational change.

Notable achievements of RPF in controlling the drug menace

In the year 2024 alone, RPF undertook a record number of operations resulting in over 1700 contraband seizure cases involving significant quantities of contraband articles. Big Seizures and Operational Successes of RPF during 2024-25 include:

• On 03.2024, in a joint operation with DRI Tuticorin & Madurai teams, RPF/Madurai led to the seizure of 31.5 kg of Methamphetamine worth ₹150 crore from a passenger on Pothigai Express (Train No. 12661) during a targeted operation.
• On 05.2025, at Nabadwip Dham Railway Station (ER), a joint team seized 1.03 kg of Brown Sugar worth ₹4 crore during a surveillance operation based on intelligence generated by STF Kolkata
• On 06.2025, at Sealdah Station (ER), a routine RPF check led to the recovery of 3.14 kg Morphine and 3.198 kg Heroin, valued at ₹3.35 crore. The seized quantity was later handed over to NCB.
• On 12.2024, at Burhwal Station (NER), a joint operation intercepted two women aboard a train with 11 kg Charas worth ₹5.5 crore which was being transported from Sugauli to Kota.
• On 03.2025, a joint RPF-GRP team recovered 24.39 kg of Charas valued at ₹6 crore in unclaimed backpacks at Sagauli Railway Station (ECR).
• On 03.2025, in Varanasi Station (NR), a checking operation on Tapti Ganga Express led to seizure of 10 kg Charas, valued at ₹5 crore, from an unattended bag.

The RPF seized contrabands valued at over ₹227.5 crore in 2024, contributing 1.34% to the overall seizure quantity in the country. RPF has also arrested 1489 traffickers during the year. This significant recovery marks a noteworthy addition to the collective efforts towards building a Drug-Free India. The outcome of the targeted and successful operations and seizures underscore RPF’s evolving capabilities and intelligence-led policing approach.

Emerging patterns

An analysis of drug trafficking patterns on Indian Railway network has revealed distinct smuggling corridors and modus operandi of traffickers. The North-Eastern Corridor (Lumding–Arunachal) acts as a critical source route for cannabis cultivation and transportation. Eastern-Central-Southern Routes (Odisha to Southern States) facilitates the movement of narcotics from Odisha to high consumption-demand centres such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi and Mumbai.  Major cities act as the primary endpoints of the trafficking network, where narcotics are distributed through local networks, making them the urban consumption hubs. The affordability of Ganja, combined with its recreational nature, makes it one of the most commonly trafficked narcotics via railways. The contraband is often packed in bulk quantities and concealed ingeniously in passenger and freight luggage.

Learnings and Strategic Insights

From years of tracking illicit narcotics movements while actively pursuing the role of Sentinels of Indian Railways, RPF has developed key learnings in the domain. Traffickers rely on anonymity provided by general class compartments and unreserved ticketing. Night trains and long-distance express trains are frequently misused due to reduced presence of uniformed personnel in night time. Concealment techniques have become increasingly sophisticated, necessitating enhanced detection methods. Youth and vulnerable populations in urban centers are primary targets for drug consumption, fueling demand.

Capacity Building and RPF’s Commitment

RPF has taken concrete steps to build institutional capacity to tackle narcotics trafficking. Specially trained dog squads are now deployed at major railway stations and are actively participating in targeted operations. RPF personnel undergo intensive training on NDPS provisions, detection methods, procedural law and inter-agency coordination in collaboration with Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). Data analytics and crime pattern analysis has led to systematic mapping of drug routes and identification of vulnerable trains. Cooperation with NCB, State Police and Intelligence Agencies has led to a productive partnership based on real-time intelligence sharing and constitution of joint taskforces for action. This progress directly reflects the Union Home Minister’s strategic directive that combines top-down guidance and bottom-up implementation, ensuring uniform policy application with local adaptability.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite the success stories, several challenges remain. The need for more resources including narcotic detection equipment and canine units, slow judicial processes under NDPS hindering deterrence, rapid changes in trafficking routes and methods, cross border smuggling through the porous borders of the country, imperatives of passenger privacy vis a vis surveillance concerns which demands balancing individual rights with stringent checks etc. needs systematic and concentrated approach to be addressed effectively.

To counter these challenges, enforcement agencies must continue to leverage advanced technological solutions such as Artificial Intelligence and scanning systems with pattern recognition capabilities for route and passenger profiling, thereby enabling predictive policing in the detection of drugs and narcotics. Community sensitization programs to generate public awareness is essential to address the issue of consumption. The canine force is the backbone of any Force involved in the detection of narcotics, but it has its own operational limitations. Possible technology solutions to enhance detection need to be explored in the field. Further the human capabilities in the field demands capacity augmentation through specialized training and intervention in the domain.

The Indian Railways handles substantial quantity of parcel traffic through the Seating cum Luggage Rake (SLR) vans of long-distance passenger trains. At present the contents of the parcel are not being scanned through X-ray scanners. Realizing the possibility of utilization of parcel traffic for drug trafficking, Indian Railways has started the process of installing large sized baggage scanners at important railway stations

A Pillar in the Whole-of-Government Effort

The RPF’s contribution to narcotics control is not an isolated initiative but a net addition and an important part of the Government of India’s integrated anti-drug effort. Its success exemplifies the whole-of-government approach, working in unison with central and state agencies to safeguard national security and public health. On this International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, RPF stands as a vigilant and evolving Force, committed to securing the lifelines of the nation from the scourge of drugs. By recognising patterns, enhancing capabilities, and strengthening inter-agency collaboration, RPF is not only protecting the Indian Railways but also fortifying the nation’s resolve against narcotics trafficking in the years to come.