Himachal Pradesh Reports India’s Second-Highest Drug Trafficking Crime Rate for Second Consecutive Year: NCRB Report 2024

Himachal Pradesh continues to battle a growing drug menace as the state has once again recorded the second-highest drug trafficking crime rate in the country, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report for 2024.

The report paints a worrying picture for the hill state, which has been witnessing a steady rise in narcotics-related offences over the past few years. NCRB data revealed that Himachal Pradesh registered 17.2 drug trafficking cases per lakh population in 2024, placing it just behind Punjab, which topped the list with 19.6 cases per lakh population.

Notably, this is the second consecutive year that Himachal Pradesh has ranked second in the country in drug trafficking-related crimes, highlighting the increasing challenge faced by law enforcement agencies and the state government.

According to the report, Himachal Pradesh recorded a total of 1,715 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 during 2024. This translates to 22.8 cases per lakh population, significantly higher than the national average of 7.8 cases per lakh population.

With these figures, Himachal Pradesh now stands fourth in India in terms of NDPS Act cases per lakh population. Kerala ranked highest with 75.5 cases per lakh population, followed by Punjab with 29 and Mizoram with 27.2.

The NCRB data further showed that out of the total 1,715 NDPS cases registered in the state, 1,292 cases were linked to possession of drugs for trafficking purposes. Meanwhile, 423 cases involved possession of narcotic substances for personal consumption.

Apart from NDPS-related offences, the state also reported 4,627 cases under liquor and narcotic drugs-related laws. Himachal Pradesh recorded 61.5 such cases per lakh population, making it the ninth-highest state in the country under this category.

The rising numbers have raised fresh concerns among citizens, social organisations, and authorities, especially as drug abuse continues to impact young people in several districts of the state. Experts believe that the increasing interstate drug network and easy availability of narcotics are contributing factors behind the growing crisis.

Authorities have intensified anti-drug campaigns and enforcement drives in recent years, but the latest NCRB figures indicate that the challenge remains far from under control.

As Himachal Pradesh continues to attract millions of tourists every year, the rising drug trafficking cases may also put additional pressure on law enforcement agencies to strengthen surveillance and crack down on illegal narcotics networks operating across the state.

Read Also : Punjab Kings Reach Dharamsala Ahead of Crucial IPL 2026 Matches, Fans Gather at Airport