What is Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)?

About Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB):

• It is the nodal drug law enforcement and intelligence agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
• It was constituted on 14th November, 1985, under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act).
• It has its headquarters located in Delhi. 
• The NCB exercises the powers and functions of the Central Government for taking measures with respect to:
  • Co-ordination of actions by various offices, State Governments, and other authorities under the N.D.P.S. Act, Customs Act, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and any other law for the time being in force in connection with the enforcement provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.
  • Implementation of the obligation in respect of countermeasures against illicit traffic under the various international conventions and protocols that are in force at present or which may be ratified or acceded to by India in the future.
  • Assistance to concerned authorities in foreign countries and concerned international organisations to facilitate coordination and universal action for prevention and suppression of illicit traffic in these drugs and substances.
  • Coordination of actions taken by the other concerned ministries, departments, and organizations in respect of matters relating to drug abuse.
• It also functions as an enforcement agency through its zonal offices.
• The zonal offices collect and analyse data related to seizures of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, study trends, modus operandi, collect and disseminate intelligence, and work in close cooperation with the Customs, State Police, and other law enforcement agencies.

Q1: What is the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NPDS) Act, 1985?

The NDPS Act prohibits a person from manufacture / production / cultivation/ possession/ sale / purchase / transport / store / consume any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance without due permission from the appropriate authorities. The Act follows a graded system of punishment, with the punishment varying and the quantum of punishment being dependent upon whether the offence pertains to small, commercial, and intermediate quantities of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Source: Responsibility of all to make country narcotics, drug free: Amit Shah

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