CAG report Gujarat: ‘Set up dedicated vaults to store seized narcotics’

Ahmedabad: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report issued on Wednesday flagged gaps in the storage and disposal of seized narcotics by the Gujarat home department and recommended setting up dedicated storage infrastructure and ensuring that seized drugs were disposed of within prescribed timelines.The audit found that large quantities of seized drugs went missing across police units, with authorities attributing the shortfalls to theft, destruction by rodents, drying and moisture loss — reasons the CAG said did not fully explain the extent of the discrepancies. The rules mandate that seized drugs must be deposited in secured vaults within 48 hours, tested by forensic labs, and disposed of after due process through a drugs disposal committee. However, the audit found delays at multiple stages, including pending forensic reports, late applications to magistrates, prolonged storage, and delays in initiating disposal even after receipt of forensic reports. Instances of improper storage were noted, with drugs kept in regular rooms instead of secured vaults, making them vulnerable to theft and pilferage. The ATS seized 2,968.476kg of drugs between 2016 and 2023 in 33 cases. Of this, 650.582kg seized between 2019 and 2022 remained undisposed as of Feb 2024. Delays were also recorded in filing applications before magistrates. In 36 cases, applications were filed between 34 and 2,816 days after receipt of forensic reports, against the prescribed 30 days. In one case, the application date was unavailable. Similarly, while the CID Crime office stated that all drugs were disposed of between 2021 and 2024, the audit found that only 4,177.86kg was disposed of — the shortfall included theft of 144.180kg of ganja, destruction by rats and loss due to drying and moisture reduction.The audit of Bharuch district police revealed that police stations were not aware of the location of 24.5kg of charas and ganja. In 12 cases, forensic reports were pending for one to 23 years, delaying further legal process. The audit highlighted that such lapses increase risks of diversion into illegal channels and affect the integrity of the criminal justice process. The state govt was informed of the findings in July 2025, but its response was awaited till Nov 2025.