In a startling revelation by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, over 2,300 kg of seized narcotics has reportedly “vanished” from Gujarat Police custody over the last 12 years. When questioned about the massive discrepancy, the police provided a bizarre explanation, claiming that a significant portion of the contraband was either stolen or “eaten by rats.”

According to the CAG report, various units of the Gujarat Police seized 6,510.54 kg of narcotics between 2010 and 2022. However, upon auditing the destruction process, a gap of 2,332.68 kg was discovered—nearly 35% of the total seizure. While the police cited natural evaporation and pest infestation as reasons for the loss, the auditors remain highly skeptical of these claims.

The CAG report highlights severe structural and procedural lapses in drug management. It specifically points out the inordinate delays in forensic testing and the absence of a standardized protocol for the safe storage and disposal of seized substances. Keeping contraband in ill-equipped warehouses for prolonged periods has made them highly vulnerable to theft and contamination. This massive “vanishing act” has now put the Gujarat Police’s oversight and monitoring mechanisms under the scanner.