The symposium is jointly organised by the Government of the United Kingdom and the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU)-Delhi. It aims to strengthen international collaboration, policy frameworks, and scientific approaches to combat emerging drug threats.

Delivering the inaugural address, Shri Vineet Vinayak, IPS, Additional Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) described drug trafficking as both a transnational security challenge and a public health concern. Highlighting emerging trends such as hydroponic cannabis cultivation and drone-assisted trafficking, he stressed the importance of strengthening forensic capabilities, intelligence sharing, and coordinated law enforcement to effectively tackle these evolving threats.

Mr. Ben Mellor, Chargé d'Affaires, British High Commission, reaffirmed India-UK cooperation in combating transnational organised crime under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Vision 2035. He called for stronger global partnerships, greater intelligence sharing, exchange of expertise, and coordinated international efforts to dismantle technology-enabled criminal networks.

In his presidential address delivered virtually, Padma Shri Dr. J.M. Vyas, Vice-Chancellor, National Forensic Sciences University, aligned the symposium with the Prime Minister's vision of a "Drug-Free India." He observed that enforcement measures must be complemented by rehabilitation and advocated the use of marine forensics, artificial intelligence, advanced surveillance systems, and sensor-based detection technologies in narcotics control. He also highlighted the role of educational institutions in supporting the administration through research and capacity building and described the collaboration between NFSU and the British High Commission as a significant step towards making NFSU a centre of excellence in narcotics research.

The inaugural session also featured special addresses by Ms. Nishtha Tiwari, Joint Secretary (IS-II), Ministry of Home Affairs, and Dr. Dinesh Bisen of the Narcotics Control Bureau. Prof. (Dr.) Purvi Pokhariyal, Campus Director, NFSU-Delhi, delivered the welcome address.

Senior officials representing the Police, Judiciary, British High Commission, UK Home Office, NCB, AIIMS, NIMHANS, Central Revenue Control Laboratory (CRCL), Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs), National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Indian Air Force, Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and the Supreme Court of India are participating in thematic sessions and panel discussions during the two-day symposium.