Overview

• On July 14, the Legislative Council unanimously approved an amendment to classify production, sale, possession and transport of narcotic drugs as organised crime under MCOCA.
• Once the Governor signs the bill, MCOCA’s stringent provisions will apply in narcotics cases, including stricter bail conditions, 180-day investigation windows and admissibility of police confessions.
• Officials are reviewing a proposal to lower the juvenile age of criminal responsibility in drug offences from 18 to 16 years to curb exploitation of minors by trafficking networks.
• The state is drafting standard procedures to deport foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, who use minor offences to delay removal after drug-related arrests.
• Special anti-narcotics operations have been launched statewide, with dedicated cells in every police unit and a focused police drive in Bandra East slums to dismantle organised networks.