Mumbai, Nov 15 (IANS): In a stunning RTI revelation, the Mumbai Police has said it has seized drugs and narcotics worth Rs 1,081 crore in the past 19 months from the city.

According to RTI activist Anil Galgali, the police also swooped down on peddlers and addicts by arresting 1,073 drug peddlers and others in connection with these seizures in the past one-and-half years.

The police figures also appear to indicate that the instances of drug sales have shot up this year despite a massive crackdown by authorities against the menace.

Replying to Galgali's queries, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Vinod Shinde said that between 2018 and till September, 2019, the Anti Narcotics Cell had effected several seizures of drugs and other similar products in Mumbai.

From January-December 2018, the ANC effected seizures of drugs like heroin, measles, cocaine, marijuana, MD, LCD and others, worth Rs 1,016 crore, and arrested 395 peddlers and users.

From January 2019-September 2019, the ANC seized around 170 kgs of different types of drugs worth nearly Rs 65 crore, and the number of accused arrested was nearly double at 678.

The RTI replies show that the most popular drugs of 2019 include cocaine of which nearly 19 kgs worth Rs 59 crore was seized, followed by nearly 105 kgs of ganja worth Rs 18 crore, and 10 kgs MD worth Rs 3.60 crore.

"The supplies of addictive and stimulants from others states into Mumbai also seems to be increasing and this requires special efforts by the police to curb the menace. Besides, there should be special campaigns to make the youth aware of the ills of drug addiction," Galgali said.