Staff Reporter:
The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has outlined a modernization plan to address manpower shortages, upgrade enforcement technology, establish specialized investigative units and expedite the prosecution of drug-related cases across the country.
The proposed roadmap aims to strengthen the department’s operational capacity through increased recruitment, improved logistics, advanced detection equipment, specialized training and closer coordination with other law enforcement agencies, said sources at the DNC.
The DNC currently has 2,272 personnel against an approved workforce of 2,943, leaving 671 positions vacant, placing additional pressure on field operations and enforcement activities nationwide.
Logistical constraints further complicate the department’s work. Official vehicles are unavailable in 13 districts, while shortages of modern detection equipment, including X-ray scanners, handheld drug detectors and body-worn cameras, limit operational readiness.
Under the proposed plan, the DNC intends to expand its physical infrastructure by constructing dedicated office buildings at district and upazila levels.
It also plans to establish prosecution offices on the premises of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) courts to improve coordination between investigators and prosecutors.
Field personnel are expected to receive modern equipment, including body-worn cameras, wireless communication devices, portable drug-detection systems, advanced X-ray scanners and firearms, as outlined in the roadmap.
