Nagpur: The city’s battle against narcotics is increasingly becoming a fight to save its younger generation, as police records reveal a troubling rise in the involvement of Gen Z individuals in drug trafficking and related offences.
Data compiled by Nagpur Police shows that between 2023 and May 2026, as many as 277 accused aged 25 years and below were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. During the same period, 421 youngsters from the same age group were also detained during anti-drug operations, underscoring the growing influence of narcotics networks among the city’s youth.
Senior police officials attribute the trend to a combination of easy-money temptations, rising addiction, unemployment and social pressures. Investigations have revealed that many youngsters are initially drawn into drug distribution as couriers or street-level suppliers before becoming deeply entrenched in the trade. While major drug suppliers generally operate from outside the state, local youth are often used to build and sustain distribution chains within the city.
Authorities say college students and unemployed young adults remain among the most vulnerable targets for recruitment. Drug syndicates allegedly exploit financial hardships and aspirations for a lavish lifestyle, convincing youngsters that peddling narcotics offers a quick route to financial gains.
Police are equally concerned about the increasing participation of women in drug trafficking networks. Investigators have found that several female peddlers are themselves victims of substance abuse and are often trapped in exploitative situations while attempting to finance their addiction. Officials believe many women are coerced into the trade after becoming dependent on narcotics.
Leading the city’s anti-narcotics campaign through “Operation Thunder,” Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal said the sharp rise in arrests is the result of an aggressive crackdown on drug syndicates operating across the city.
According to police statistics, 2025 witnessed one of the most intensive anti-drug drives in recent years, with 760 accused arrested in 601 NDPS cases. During these operations, narcotics valued at more than ₹8 crore were seized. The momentum has continued this year, with 256 accused arrested in 192 cases till May 2026 and drugs worth ₹4.21 crore confiscated.
Singal said changing social behaviour among youngsters is also contributing to the problem. The growing influence of social media, online peer groups and the fear of missing out (FOMO) are increasingly encouraging experimentation with drugs, which in many cases eventually leads to involvement in trafficking networks.
The commissioner asserted that Nagpur Police would continue pursuing every link in the narcotics supply chain. He cited the recent busting of an LSD racket as an example of the department’s commitment to dismantling organised drug operations and preventing young people from being pulled into criminal networks.
With authorities intensifying surveillance and enforcement measures, police believe the challenge now extends beyond law enforcement and requires greater awareness among families, educational institutions and communities to prevent the next generation from falling prey to the city’s growing drug menace.
