Bihar's prohibition policy has coincided with a sharp rise in narcotics cases, with cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act increasing from 697 in 2019 to 1,905 in early 2026, according to an investigative report by The Indian Express reported by IANS on Thursday, October 22. The Express investigation said the 1,905 cases were recorded in the first five months of 2026 alone.

Source: IANS via Nation Press

Seizures of drug pills have reportedly increased 30-fold, while heroin use is also on the rise, according to the investigation. The Express reported that tablet seizures rose from around 30,000 pieces in 2022 to 9.29 lakh in the first five months of 2026.

Source: The Indian Express investigation

The investigation highlighted the emergence of a drug locally known as 'kota', described in the reporting as a raw-heroin variant. According to the report, the substance is smuggled into Bihar via the Northeast and Nepal routes and is transported in everyday items such as soap boxes and clothing before reaching consumers, including in rural areas.

Source: IANS via BizzBuzz

De-addiction centres in the state are struggling to cope with demand, with some facilities reportedly serving up to 20 times their intended number of patients, the report said. It also raised concerns about increasing substance use among juveniles, pointing to a possible shift from alcohol consumption towards more dangerous intoxicating substances despite daily police seizures of illicit liquor.