Rising Drug Seizures Highlight Growing Concern Over Chitta Menace in Himachal
The drug problem—particularly the spread of chitta (heroin)—continues to pose a serious challenge in Himachal Pradesh, with police reporting a noticeable rise in seizures during the first quarter of this year. According to official data, around 4.45 kg of heroin was seized between January and March, marking a 15.6 per cent increase compared to the 3.85 kg seized during the same period last year.
What has alarmed authorities even more is the sharp spike in the seizure of injections, which are commonly used by addicts to inject heroin directly into the bloodstream. Police recovered 14,660 injections in the first quarter of this year, a dramatic jump from just 49 injections seized during the same period last year. Apart from injection, heroin is also smoked or snorted by users.
In addition to heroin, law enforcement agencies have seized a wide range of narcotics so far this year. Recoveries include 91.86 kg of charas (cannabis), 4.22 kg of opium, 241.89 kg of poppy husk, 23.35 kg of ganja, and 8.49 grams of smack. The police also recovered large quantities of pharmaceutical drugs, including 1,638 capsules, 31,905 tablets, and 4,880 bottles of cough syrup.
By comparison, seizures in the first quarter of last year included 102.1 kg of charas, 3.7 kg of opium, 46.98 kg of poppy husk, 7.5 kg of ganja, 2.07 grams of smack, along with 1,737 tablets, 3,891 capsules, and 11 syrup bottles.
Police have registered 603 cases under the NDPS Act, 1985, so far this year—slightly higher than the 597 cases recorded during the same period last year—indicating both the scale of the problem and heightened enforcement efforts.
The increase in seizures reflects an intensified crackdown on drug networks operating in the state. Several key traffickers, including interstate drug kingpins, suppliers, and their associates, have been arrested as part of these operations.
The efforts gained momentum after Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched a large-scale anti-chitta campaign on November 15, 2025, with the goal of making Himachal Pradesh chitta-free. Since then, police teams have been carrying out targeted and intelligence-based operations against the drug mafia across the state.
While the rise in seizures signals stronger enforcement, officials acknowledge that the figures also underline the urgent need for sustained action, awareness, and rehabilitation efforts to tackle the drug menace at its roots.
