Patna: In a major push to combat rising cyber crime and drug trafficking in Bihar, the state police department has constituted two specialised units: the Cyber Crime cum Cyber Security Unit and the State Anti-Narcotics cum Prohibition Unit. The proposal awaits final approval at the Cabinet level and is expected to be operational soon.
Each unit will be headed by a senior officer of Additional Director General (ADG) or Inspector General (IG) rank. Announcing the development, ADG (Headquarters) Kundan Krishnan said the state has witnessed a worrying rise in drug use, particularly among the youth, with chemical-based narcotics becoming increasingly common.
The anti-narcotics unit will operate similarly to the Narcotics Control Bureau and will collaborate with it in key investigations. The unit’s responsibilities will include cracking down on the smuggling of drugs from neighbouring regions such as Nepal, Uttar Pradesh, northeastern states—particularly Manipur—and Myanmar. Illegal opium cultivation in parts of Jharkhand bordering Gaya, including Chatra, Palamu, and Kaukol, will also be a key focus area.
Bhojpur and East Champaran districts have been identified as hotspots for drug trafficking. In a recent case, a major smuggler was arrested in Ara, and a diary recovered from him revealed names of at least a dozen smaller dealers. Bank records also uncovered transactions amounting to Rs 30 lakh, pointing to the scale of the drug trade. Authorities plan to target even small-time operations like huts, kiosks and informal sellers.
The anti-narcotics unit will also be empowered to identify and initiate property confiscation against individuals profiting from drug smuggling and illegal arms trade. So far, 6–7 such individuals have been identified, and proceedings are underway.
Parallelly, the newly established cyber crime unit will function as a centre of excellence. A cyber lab will be set up to analyse mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices involved in criminal activity. Specially trained personnel are being inducted to carry out targeted operations against cyber offenders.
On the broader law and order situation, Krishnan noted a decline in reported cases of rape and robbery compared to 2024. There were 2,205 rape cases in 2024, averaging 104 per month, which has dropped to 98 per month this year. However, murder cases have seen a slight increase—from an average of 232 per month in 2024 to 235 this year.
