Ahmedabad: Gujarat’s long coastline has made it a key corridor in the fight against narcotics. Between 2020 and 2024, seizures worth Rs 7,350 crore were reported along its ports and coast, according to Union govt data. Last year alone saw drugs valued at Rs 1,800 crore intercepted. Earlier this week, the Indian Coast Guard and the Anti-Terrorist Squad seized about 200 kg of suspected contraband — a reminder that the flow has not slowed. To counter this, the state’s enforcement agencies are turning to cutting-edge forensic technology to not just detect drugs, but trace them back to their source region.This year’s state budget backs that shift with investments running into crores to upgrade the facilities of the Directorate of Forensic Sciences (DFS) in narcotics analysis, DNA profiling and digital forensics.
It has received Rs 3.5 crore to procure isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), a technology that can help pinpoint the geographical origin of seized substances. DFS sources said the equipment measures natural stable isotope variations present in materials and compares them with updated isotope libraries linked to specific regions. Even if two substances look identical, their isotope signatures can differ depending on where they were produced or processed.“The IRMS distinguishes between identical-looking substances and can be used for natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic contraband. It will help link a haul to a specific region and trace the route taken by peddlers,” sources said. Investigators believe this capability could strengthen cases by tying consignments to production zones and mapping trafficking corridors rather than treating each seizure as an isolated incident.To support rapid field-level detection, DFS has also received Rs 2 crore for a Raman spectroscopy handheld narcotic analyser. The device enables non-destructive identification of drugs through molecular fingerprints detected by laser, allowing quicker screening without compromising evidence.The technology push extends beyond narcotics. The DNA division at DFS Gandhinagar will receive a mixture and probabilistic genotyping forensic tool costing Rs 7.44 crore, among the first such systems for forensic science laboratories in India. “The tool is designed for complex cases where there is more than one sample of human fluids or DNA at a crime scene, or where the sample sent is relatively older. In several cases, the DNA extracted from a sample is not adequate for analysis and subsequent opinion. The tool will help fill these gaps, improving the time taken and quality of analysis,” said sources. It is expected to be particularly useful in sexual offence cases involving more than 1 perpetrator.Learning from last year’s AI 171 airplane crash, which required rapid identification of victims, DFS has also secured allocation for high-throughput DNA extraction and automated processes for DNA quantification and amplification with validation technology. The objective is to enable faster processing of large volumes of samples in mass-casualty situations.BOXState to get mobile digital forensic vanDigital forensics is another focus area. The budget includes Rs 2.39 crore for a mobile digital forensic van, Rs 1.85 crore for video enhancement tools, and Rs 1.5 crore for mobile phone and smartwatch forensic tools. Sources said that with crimes getting high-tech, the focus is on modernising the tools for digital forensics. “For example, the van will help on-field analysis in critical cases, including extraction and analysis of data from suspected devices. The focus is on reducing time and improving accuracy,” said sources.
