Drug trafficking: DM Jammu warns against misuse of courier services

Jammu, Nov 1: In a significant step towards eradicating the menace of drugs and preventing the misuse of courier and parcel services for the transportation of contraband substances, District Magistrate (DM) Jammu, Dr Rakesh Minhas has warned the concerned companies and logistics operators against accepting, booking or transporting any such substances without a valid transport permit under the rules.

DM, in this connection, has issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, read with the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 and NDPS Rules, 1985.

The order was issued following reports that courier and parcel services are being misused for transporting narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances disguised as ordinary consignments. Such acts constitute grave offences under the NDPS Act, punishable under Sections 8, 21, 22, 23, 25 and 29, among others.

The order states that no courier company, parcel service or logistics operator functioning within district Jammu will accept, book or transport any narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or other contraband items unless it holds a valid transport permit under the NDPS Rules, 1985 and as per the regulations under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

The order further directs all courier and parcel companies to strictly verify the identity and credentials of consignors and consignees using valid government-issued identity proof. They must maintain complete records of consignments, including sender and receiver details, parcel description, weight, booking receipt and date of booking.

A record of the mode of payment received, whether in cash, digital, cheque, UPI or card form, along with transaction details wherever applicable, must also be maintained.