Patna: The Bihar government has announced the creation of a specialised unit to crack down on narcotics and illicit alcohol smuggling, unveiling the Prohibition and State Narcotics Control Bureau. The Home Department approved the move this week, integrating prohibition units already operating under the Police Headquarters and the Economic Offences Unit.
At a press conference in Patna, ADG (Headquarters and STF) Kundan Krishnan said the new bureau will operate with its own police station, modelled on the Anti-Terrorist Squad, and will have jurisdiction across the state. A total of 329 posts have been sanctioned, including 229 from the existing prohibition unit and 100 new positions. The bureau will be led by an officer of ADG or IG rank, with two SP-level posts for prohibition and narcotics, supported by 18 DSPs, 48 inspectors, and 50 sub-inspectors.
Krishnan said the bureau’s mandate is to dismantle trafficking networks, with investigations already uncovering links to Nepal and Rajasthan. “This unit will be highly effective in tracing networks beyond Bihar and ensuring all those involved are brought to justice,” he said.
The State Task Force (STF) has already carried out extensive operations between April and August this year, seizing more than 3kg of heroin valued at Rs 3 crore, 8.5kg of opium, 765kg of smack, and 3.5kg of marijuana. Authorities also recovered Rs 12.9 lakh in cash, 37 mobile phones, and nine vehicles, and arrested 51 smugglers.
Officials believe the new bureau will give law enforcement a sharper edge against organised drug syndicates operating within and beyond Bihar.
