Jammu, November 1, 2025 : In a decisive move against drug trafficking, the District Magistrate (DM) Jammu has imposed strict regulations on courier, logistics, and parcel services, following reports of their misuse for transporting narcotics disguised as regular consignments.
The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, mandates all courier and parcel companies in the district to adopt robust verification systems and ensure full compliance with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
The directive highlights that some courier operators have been unknowingly or negligently facilitating the transport of contraband substances—an offence punishable under Sections 8, 21, 22, 23, 25, and 29 of the NDPS Act.
Citing Section 25 of the NDPS Act, the order emphasizes that owners, occupiers, or controllers of any conveyance or service used for drug trafficking can face the same punishment as the principal offenders.
It also refers to Rule 52F of the NDPS Rules, 1985, which regulates the transport of essential narcotic drugs via courier or post, requiring consignor/consignee declarations, license details, and record maintenance.
Quoting the Delhi High Court’s ruling in M/s Dart Air Services Pvt. Ltd. vs. Commissioner of Customs, the DM reminded that courier firms must exercise due diligence to detect and report suspicious consignments, failing which they can be held criminally liable.
Similarly, the Punjab & Haryana High Court has ruled that managers, directors, and owners of courier companies can be booked under the NDPS Act if their services are found complicit in drug transport.
The DM’s order directs all courier agencies to implement enhanced scrutiny, verification of sender and receiver details, and deploy detection mechanisms or kits to identify illegal substances.
Violators will face strict legal action under NDPS and BNSS provisions, the order warned.
