CAG Report Revelations

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, presented in the Gujarat Assembly, exposed a major security lapse in narcotics storage. Between October 2022 and July 2023, Gujarat police seized 6,510.54 kg of drugs. Of this, only 4,177.86 kg was officially destroyed, leaving approximately 2,332.68 kg — nearly 35 per cent — unaccounted for and vanished from police custody.

Reasons Provided by Home Department

The Home Department attributed the disappearance to three main factors: theft of about 144.180 kg of ganja, significant portions of ganja and opium allegedly consumed or destroyed by rats due to poor storage facilities, and natural weight loss from green ganja and opium drying up and losing moisture content over time.

CAG's Concerns

The CAG expressed strong dissatisfaction, stating that the "rats and moisture" theory does not adequately explain the massive shortfall. The audit highlighted severe lapses in storage protocols, disposal mechanisms, and overall accountability. It raised alarms that the missing contraband could have been diverted back into illicit channels, undermining law enforcement efforts.

Broader Implications

The report demands higher accountability from the Gujarat police and immediate improvements to forensic and storage infrastructure. It stresses the need for robust protocols to secure seized evidence and maintain public trust in the state's anti-narcotics operations. The discrepancy has sparked controversy and calls for a thorough review of evidence management systems across Gujarat.

Scale of the Issue

This large-scale vanishing of over 2,300 kg of drugs, including ganja and opium, points to systemic weaknesses in how narcotics are handled after seizure. The audit serves as a wake-up call for better infrastructure and stricter oversight to prevent future losses.