Legal Basis:
* NDPS Act 1985 (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances)
* Punishment: Depends on quantity (10-20 years or life)
* Mandatory Forensic: YES
INVESTIGATION CHECKLIST:
STEP 1: INFORMATION & PLANNING
* Receive reliable information about drug activity.
* Inform superior officers.
* Plan raid with team and arrange 2 independent witnesses (mandatory).
STEP 2: SEARCH & SEIZURE
* Conduct search in presence of 2 independent witnesses.
* Search suspect’s person and premises thoroughly.
* Seize all drugs, cash, and valuable items found.
* Take photographs/video of seizure.
STEP 3: DRUG SAMPLE COLLECTION
* Weigh drugs in presence of witnesses.
* Divide into 3 samples: Sample A (FSL), Sample B (Accused), Sample C (Court Reserve).
* Seal all samples properly with signatures of witnesses.
STEP 4: PERSON SEARCH (NDPS Act)
When drugs found on person:
* Collect hand wash, pocket wash, and clothing if needed.
* Medical examination of accused.
* Take photographs of accused with drugs.
STEP 5: PANCHNAMA PREPARATION (BNSS Section 105)
Prepare detailed panchnama including:
* Names and addresses of witnesses, exact place of search, description and weight of drugs found, and signatures of all present.
STEP 6: ARREST PROCEDURE
* Arrest accused person and inform of grounds of arrest (BNSS Section 47).
* Medical examination within 24 hours.
* Produce before Magistrate within 24 hours (BNSS Section 58).
STEP 7: FSL SUBMISSION
* Submit Sample A for testing to Forensic Science Laboratory.
* Forwarding letter with case details and request chemical analysis.
* Maintain chain of custody.
STEP 8: INVESTIGATION
* Check mobile phone records and bank accounts.
* Trace source of drugs and identify other members of network.
* Check previous criminal record.
STEP 9: DOCUMENTATION
* Prepare seizure report and arrest memo.
* Record statements of witnesses (BNSS Section 180).
* Maintain investigation diary (BNSS Section 192) and safely store seized drugs.
STEP 10: CHARGESHEET (BNSS Section 193)
* Wait for FSL report.
* Prepare chargesheet with all evidence.
* Submit within 60 days (or 90 days if approved).
IMPORTANT NDPS CASE REQUIREMENTS:
✓ 2 independent witnesses MANDATORY.
✓ Video recording of search and seizure MANDATORY.
✓ Chain of custody is critical.
