5-Day Training in Kolkata to Crack Down on Drug Traffickers, Legal Warriors Get Special Workshop

New Delhi: To take effective action against the expanding narcotics network and strengthen the investigation of drug-related cases, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the West Bengal Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) organised a five-day training programme in Kolkata. This ‘Training of Trainers’ (ToT) programme, held from September 28 to October 2, 2026, equipped investigating officers from the West Bengal ANTF, West Bengal Police, and Kolkata Police with the nuances of professional investigation and effective enforcement regarding NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) cases.

Fifty-four investigating officers of the Inspector rank participated in this specialised programme. The objective was not merely to enhance the officers' investigative capabilities but also to groom them as trainers, enabling them to disseminate the knowledge and modern investigative techniques acquired during the training to other police personnel within their respective departments.

Training Across All Investigative Fronts: From Searches to Digital Evidence

Over the five days, officers received detailed insights into various critical aspects of investigating drug-related cases. Key topics included search and seizure procedures, sample collection and documentation, the PITNDPS Act, modern investigative techniques, and the handling of digital evidence. Additionally, officers were trained in CDR (Call Detail Record) and IPDR (Internet Protocol Detail Record) analysis, financial investigations, tracing the sources of funds used in drug trafficking, and measures to prevent the misuse and illicit use of restricted chemicals. The training also covered vital subjects such as investigating drug trade via the Darknet, synthetic drugs, clandestine drug laboratories, monitoring trial proceedings, the cultivation of illicit narcotic crops, and the safe disposal of assets seized in such cases. Investigating officers learning to counter every move—from the darknet to drug labs

The methods used in the narcotics trade are evolving rapidly in these changing times. Alongside traditional smuggling, investigating agencies face the challenge of criminals utilising digital platforms, the darknet, and modern communication technologies. Consequently, the training programme familiarised officers with techniques to interpret technical evidence, connect digital links, and trace entire networks through the analysis of financial transactions. The programme also emphasised that, in addition to a robust investigation in NDPS cases, the proper seizure of evidence, adherence to correct sampling procedures, meticulous documentation, and effective courtroom advocacy are crucial. Since even a minor lapse in the investigation can influence the trial's outcome, officers received specific training on following established legal procedures at every stage of the investigation.

Officers' preparedness assessed via mock test

A mock test was conducted for the officers prior to the conclusion of the five-day training programme to evaluate the knowledge and understanding they had acquired. Officers who performed exceptionally well in the test were honoured at the closing ceremony. The Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal felicitated the top performers and addressed the gathering at the programme's conclusion, marking the formal end of the five-day training initiative.

Trained officers to impart new technical skills to other police personnel

A key feature of the 'Training of Trainers' (ToT) program was that it prepared the participating officers to train other police personnel in their respective departments in the future. This ensures that the impact of the training extends beyond the initial 54 officers to reach other investigating officers within their respective police units. This joint initiative by the NCB and the West Bengal ANTF is viewed as a significant training effort aimed at strengthening professional competence, technical understanding, and legal procedural knowledge in the investigation of NDPS cases.