Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Friday that the government is set to introduce an amendment to the Narcotics Control Act within the next few days to equip officials of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) with modern firearms including 9mm pistols.

The move is designed to bolster the agency's operational capacity, allowing officers to safely and effectively combat drug-related crimes.

The minister disclosed the information while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion and award-giving ceremony held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2026.

Emphasizing the risks faced by law enforcement, Salahuddin noted that DNC officers are frequently forced to confront armed drug traffickers while operating without any defensive weaponry.

"The DNC officers are fighting with armed drug dealers risking their lives, but they do not have any weapons," he stated.

"To remove this legal vacuum and modern challenges, the Amendment Bill to the Narcotics Control Act will be introduced in the National Parliament within the next couple of days."

Beyond the provision of firearms, the minister detailed a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the department.

This includes providing officers with up-to-date training, establishing detention facilities for suspects during legal proceedings, and deploying trained sniffer dogs to improve drug detection accuracy.

Furthermore, the minister announced plans to establish advanced drug-testing chemical laboratories in every district across the country.

Addressing the significant backlog in the judicial system, Salahuddin highlighted that approximately 80,000 drug-related cases remain unresolved in Dhaka alone, a situation he attributed largely to a shortage of judges.

To address this, the proposed legal amendments include strict provisions for the establishment of special tribunals to ensure the speedy trial of drug cases.

The minister also addressed the evolving nature of illicit trade, noting that drug trafficking and gambling have increasingly shifted to digital platforms, social media, and encrypted communication channels.

He pointed out the limitations of outdated frameworks, such as the Gambling Prevention Act of 1867, and emphasized that the government is working to create a more robust legal foundation, including stronger cyber laws.

A recent study under the supervision of the DNC revealed that approximately 8.2 million people—roughly 4.88 percent of the country’s population—are currently using illicit drugs.

The minister warned that the emergence of synthetic and semi-synthetic substances, known as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), has significantly exacerbated the issue.

Reaffirming the government’s "zero-tolerance" policy, he stated that authorities are committed to bringing masterminds and financiers of the drug trade to justice, with new legal provisions aimed at identifying and confiscating illicit assets acquired through drug money.