Delhi Police Seize ₹31 Crore in Property and Cash from 84 Drug Dealers Over 3 Years

New Delhi: In a major crackdown under the ‘Drug-Free India’ initiative, Delhi Police have secured freezing orders against 84 narcotics offenders over the past three years, confiscating assets worth ₹31.81 crore, including property, jewelry, and cash.

Police officials stated that freezing or seizure actions have been completed against 64 individuals, while proceedings against the remaining 20 are still underway, suggesting the total value could rise further. The operations have been conducted under Section 68 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Targeting Profits Behind Drug Trade
Authorities emphasized that the drug trade is primarily profit-driven, and disrupting its financial base is a crucial part of anti-narcotics enforcement. Under Chapter 5-A of the NDPS Act, illegally acquired movable and immovable assets can be confiscated. The action applies to offenders convicted under NDPS for ten years or more, or detained under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, or arrested for crimes with a minimum ten-year sentence.

Procedure for Freezing Illegal Assets
The freezing process, carried out under Section 53, involves authorized officers identifying and verifying illegally acquired property. Assets can either be seized or frozen if physical confiscation is not feasible. The burden of proof lies on the accused to show the property was legally acquired. Affected parties can appeal freezing orders in appellate tribunals. Once seized or frozen, the illegally acquired assets of drug offenders can also be auctioned.

Record Confiscations in 2025
As of 31 October 2025, Delhi Police have obtained freezing orders against 53 drug traffickers. Actions against 33 of them have been completed, resulting in the freezing of assets worth ₹21.80 crore. Ongoing actions against 20 others have led to the seizure of assets valued at ₹4.85 crore. This year alone, a record ₹26.65 crore worth of property and cash has been frozen, with investigations into 22 additional traffickers’ assets continuing. These offenders are based not only in Delhi but also in other states.