Alarming Rise in Women Drug Traffickers: Over 3,000 Female Offenders Arrested in Punjab
Punjab Tops the Chart with 35% of National Arrests, Revealing Disturbing Trend in Female Involvement in Drug Trade
Women Drug Traffickers News: In a concerning trend, Punjab has witnessed a substantial increase in the arrest of female drug traffickers, with a staggering 3,164 women apprehended over the past three years under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The statistics, shared by Union Minister of State for Home Nityananda Roy in the Rajya Sabha, shed light on the escalating involvement of women in drug-related offenses.
Punjab Takes the Lead
Punjab, grappling with a persistent drug trafficking issue, stands out as the state with the highest number of female drug traffickers arrested. In 2020, 788 women over the age of 18 were apprehended, a figure that rose to 928 in 2021 and surged to 1,448 in 2022. Punjab's contribution constitutes approximately 35% of the total 4,146 arrests of women involved in drug trafficking across the country.
National Scenario
Following Punjab, Tamil Nadu reported the second-highest number of female drug traffickers caught in 2022, with 490 arrests, while Haryana closely followed with 337 cases. The concerning trend extends beyond Punjab, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies to curb the involvement of women in illicit drug activities.
The data presented in the Rajya Sabha also revealed a distressing scenario involving children in drug trafficking cases. In 2022 alone, 464 children under the age of 18 were apprehended across the country. Tamil Nadu recorded the highest number of child offenders, totaling 101, followed by Punjab with 37 and Rajasthan with 36.
In response to the escalating issue of drug abuse among women and children, the government has implemented a National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). The plan underscores the government's commitment to addressing drug-related challenges among vulnerable populations through continuous and coordinated actions.
The sharp increase in female involvement in drug trafficking, particularly in Punjab, raises concerns about the evolving dynamics of the drug trade. The government's initiatives, as outlined in the NAPDDR, will likely play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of drug abuse among women and children and curbing the escalating trend of arrests in this demographic.
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