Overview

• The legislature has approved expanding MCOCA to cover production, sale, possession and transport of narcotics, and the bill now awaits the governor’s assent
• Officials are considering lowering the age of juvenile prosecution in drug cases from 18 to 16 to deter traffickers from exploiting minors
• Standard operating procedures are being drafted to fast-track the deportation of foreign nationals, notably Nigerians, who use minor offences to evade removal after drug arrests
• Anti-narcotics units have been set up in every police station and focused operations will soon target hotspots in Bandra East slums including Behrampada, Navpada, Golibar and Bharat Nagar
• Once enacted, the amendment will extend the chargesheet deadline to 180 days for commercial narcotics cases and impose stricter bail conditions under MCOCA