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Who is a Narcotics Officer?
That’s all drugs and alcohol do; they cut off your emotions in the end ~Ringo Starr
You must have heard about drugs and how their consumption affects the normal functions of the body. Its over-usage has a bad impact on the mind as well as on other organs of the body. There are numerous people who got addicted to drugs which in turn has adverse effects on their lives. There are other such cases where a person's whole life cycle gets affected, he or she may not know if it's day or night or sleeps for two constant days. A Narcotics Officer is an officer employed by the state to investigate the usage of drugs and their trafficking.
Narcotics Officer in a Nutshell
A Narcotics Officer is an investigating professional who battles drug crime. He or she does undercover investigations to identify the mastermind criminals behind the drug trafficking racket. He or she serves as a regular police officer with a few minor additions.
Quick Facts for Narcotics Officer
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Industry
Pharmaceutical
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Average Salary in India
₹48400
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Suitable for
Male, Female, Others
A career as Narcotics Officer is not a gender-restricted role. It provides equal opportunities to everyone no matter if you are male, female, or belong to any other gender.
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Any special needs
Yes
A career as Narcotics Officer is not suitable for candidates with special needs. There are drugs that hold great value in the market for both supplier and buyer. A Narcotics Officer has to deal with criminals involved in drug trafficking. Candidates with special needs are not fit for this role.
Table of Contents for Narcotics Officer
What is the role of Narcotics Officer?
A career as Narcotics Officer requires coordinating with law enforcement departments and other federal agencies. He or she works alongside the police officers to keep an eye on the illegal business of selling drugs and poisons that inflict our surroundings. A Narcotics Officer conducts an undercover investigation to catch the culprits involved in drug trafficking.
The role of Narcotics Officer is to apprehend and cut the flow of drugs in the market. These illegal drugs hold great value on the street. A narcotics officer combats narcotic possession, sales, and distribution. On several occasions, a Narcotics Officer has to perform fake drug deals in order to apprehend the drug trafficking racket.
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Investigation
A narcotics officer is responsible for investigating and apprehending suspected individuals who have been involved in the practice of illegal sale and purchase of drugs or narcotics.
Documentation
The role of narcotics officer is to gather facts and information that supports the case to produce it to the magistrate. Therefore, he or she is required to document all the details of the case containing charges, search warrants, wiretaps, and other evidence.
Compiling Evidence
A narcotics officer is responsible for observing and capturing photographs of the narcotics purchase transaction. He or she conducts an undercover investigation so that he or she could gather more evidence against the criminal and arrest him or her.
Types of a Narcotics Officer
There are types of a narcotics officers. We have mentioned below the major types of a narcotics officer with their varying job responsibilities.
Intelligence Officer: An intelligence officer is responsible for the enforcement of the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances act. He or she uses his or her intelligence to collect information, investigate, seize, search and arrest the culprits involved in drug trafficking or drug dealing.
Narcotics Inspector: A Narcotics Inspector's role is similar to that of a police inspector. He or she is responsible for dealing with smugglers and drug dealers. A narcotics inspector is responsible for apprehending the culprits involved in manufacturing psychotropic substances.
What is the workplace/work environment of Narcotics Officer like?
A Narcotics Officer work involves carrying out undercover investigations. He or she works in an office environment as well as performs field duties. He or she is responsible for investigating crimes related to drug trafficking and drug possession. It is quite usual in the career of a narcotics officer to stay away from family and friends for days to perform their duties which include background research, documenting evidence and incidents, and undercover investigation to get information on the latest drug trends and track down the culprits, drug smugglers, and suppliers.
Does Narcotics Officer require travelling?
Likely
A Narcotics Officer job role is similar to a Police Officer's. He or she has to travel to conduct investigations and collect evidence to arrest the criminals involved in the sales and usage of drugs.
Employment Shifts
Full Time
There is no specific shift in the career as Narcotics Officer. On several occasions, he or she may require to instantly move to action after getting information from sources about drug dealers or traffickers.
Employment Nature
Permanent
A Narcotics Officer job role is offered by the State Service Commission or Public Service Commission. The recruitment is done on a permanent basis where he or she can serve to the maximum extent of retirement age of 60 years.
Work Place
On-Field, Office
The Narcotics Control Bureau has various branches and departments operating in various parts of India. A Narcotics Officer duties involve working from the office as well as working in the field carrying out undercover investigations to arrest the criminal.
Presence in Geographical Area
Rural, Semi-urban, Urban
A narcotics officer is employed by the state or the central government. He or she may have transferrable postings in any location within the state concerning the branch of the Narcotics Control Bureau and Central Bureau of Narcotics.
Time Pressure
Likely
Yes, a Narcotics Officer is required to perform under extreme time pressure. It is one of the risky job roles which requires dealing with criminals.
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Overtime Details
A narcotics officer does not have any fixed hours of work. He or she often requires to work extended hours doing surveillance of the area, conducting undercover investigations, collecting evidence, and dealing with criminals.
Weekly Hours of Work
There are no specific fixed hours of work in the career of a narcotics officer. He or she may require to work anytime whenever he or she is called to duty.
How to become a Narcotics Officer?
Steps to become a Narcotics Officer
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Narcotics Officer?
There are several requirements to become a narcotics officer. Skillsets and academic qualifications are some of the most important requirements. We have mentioned below the major narcotics officer skills.
Evidence Collection: A narcotics officer is responsible for the collection of evidence. He or she is responsible for conducting a criminal investigation. It includes interviews, interrogation, and collection of forensic evidence to lead development and warrant service.
Enforcement of Law: A narcotics officer is responsible for enforcing the law that prohibits the sale and usage of psychotropic drugs except for medicinal purposes. He or she conducts surveillance, and forensic photography, and collects evidence to support the case in a court of law.
Physical Strength: A narcotics officer must be physically fit. He or she has to deal with criminals on regular basis. He or she sometimes has to act as a drug dealer to develop a trap to apprehend the culprits and the whole racket of people involved in it from its manufacturing to illegal selling.
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Narcotics Officer?
We have provided below several certification courses in criminology that may help you to upgrade your knowledge for a career as narcotics officer.
Internship Availability
The training is provided by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to selected individuals. The Narcotics Control Bureau provides training to ensure a greater understanding of drug law enforcement. It provides knowledge of uniform practice and effective counter measures. Adequate training also enhances the quality of cooperation among drug law enforcement agencies. The training is provided to all the stakeholders including State Police, Custom, Central and State Excise, and Forest Department personnel. The Railway Protection Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Border Security force, and Sashastra Seema Bal officials are provided with the training.
Career Path Progression for Narcotics Officer
We have provided here Narcotics Officer career options details. Aspirants are required to first attain Narcotics eligibility and qualify for the role of Narcotics Officer. A Narcotics Officer is employed in Narcotics Control Bureau having branches in various states of India to function and track the nexus of narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances.
Assistant Director: Assistant Director is responsible for providing assistance to the director-general, deputy director-general, deputy director or zonal director in the enforcement of the narcotics and psychotropic drugs act, of 1985.
Deputy Director: Deputy Director reports to the Deputy Director-General.
Deputy Director-General: A Deputy Director-General reports to the Director-General. It is the second-highest rank in the NCB.
Director-General: Director-General is the senior-most post in the NCB. He or she is the head of the Narcotics Control Bureau. Presently, Rakesh Asthana is serving as Director-General.
Narcotics Officer Jobs and Salaries
Assistant Director
- Average Salary 39100
Job Description
An assistant director is responsible for providing support to the Deputy Director, Deputy Director-General and Director-General in the enforcement of the law under the narcotics and psychotropic drugs act, 1985.
Salary Description
The salary of the Assistant Director comes in the bracket of Rs.15600 to Rs. 39100 with additional grade pay of Rs. 6600 per month.
Deputy Director
- Average Salary 39100
Job Description
A deputy director is responsible for the enforcement of the narcotics drugs and psychotropic drugs act, of 1985. He or she collects and develops intelligence concerning drug trafficking by search, seizure, and arrest of traffickers.
Salary Description
The salary of the deputy director comes in the bracket of Rs. 15600 to Rs. 39,100 with additional grade pay of Rs. 7600 per month.
Deputy Director-General
Permanent
- Average Salary 67000
Job Description
A Deputy Director-General is responsible for building strategies with the Director-General and provides him or her with all the necessary support to apprehend drug trafficking criminals.
Salary Description
The salary of the Deputy Director-General comes in the bracket of Rs. 37400 to Rs. 67000 with additional grade pay of Rs. 10,000 per month.
Director-General
Permanent
Job Description
A Director General is the head of the Narcotics Control Bureau. He or she is responsible for all the investigations carried out under the NCB to enforce the narcotics drugs and psychotropic drugs act.
What is the job outlook for Narcotics Officer?
The Narcotics Control Bureau has various departments. There are numerous Narcotics Officer jobs offered by Narcotics Control Bureau with varying roles and responsibilities. The promotions and increments are provided to individuals based on their eligibility (experience and performance). There are administrative departments, police and control department, and operations departments along with other departments functional within the NCB to enforce the narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances act.
The Narcotics Officer job role is offered by central as well as state government. The recruitment is done through UPSC and SSC examinations. There are lakhs of candidates that apply each year to appear in the examination. It makes it a highly competitive job role. There is also internal recruitment done by Narcotics Bureau Control. But the role is offered to candidates who have already been serving in the public services or government service.
Frequently Asked Questions for Narcotics Officer
Que. What is the eligibility criteria to take up the role of Deputy Director?
Ans.Individuals must possess experience of five years serving as an IAS officer or ‘A’ grade central services. In order to fulfil academic eligibility, candidates must possess a minimum of bachelor’s degree in any specialisation.
Que. What is the salary of an Intelligence Officer in NCB?
Ans.The salary of an Intelligence officer ranges Rs. 9300 to Rs. 34800 with additional grade pay of Rs. 4200 per month.
Que. What is the salary of Sub Inspector Narcotics Officer?
Ans.The salary of Sub Inspector Narcotics Officer ranges Rs. 5200 to 20200 with additional grade pay of Rs. 2400 per month.
Que. What is the degree required to become a Narcotics Officer?
Ans.There is no mandatory requirement for a specific specialisation. A bachelor’s degree in any specialisation fulfils the minimum academic requirement.
Que. Who is the present Director General of NCB?
Ans.Rakesh Asthana is the present Director General of NCB.
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