The Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent: Key Drug Hotspots

• India is geographically located between the Golden Crescent and the Golden Triangle, two significant sources of heroin and methamphetamine.
• These regions are responsible for almost 90% of the world's supply of these drugs, making them hotbeds for drug trafficking.
• The drug trade in these areas is often indirectly backed by intelligence establishments, complicating the efforts of law enforcement agencies to curb drug trafficking.
• Pakistani drug traffickers, for example, are known to exploit regions of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan to convert Afghan opium into heroin.
• Similarly, the Kachin and Shan provinces of Myanmar, near China, present their own set of challenges.

For more details, explore the Golden Triangle in the linked article.

The Emerging Threats: Maritime Route and Drones

• Recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir have led to an increase in the usage of the maritime route for drug trafficking.
• The use of drones to smuggle drugs and weapons across the border into Punjab is a new and alarming trend.
• The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has been successful in making frequent large seizures and maintains a strong working relationship with other countries' coast guards and security agencies.
• The money generated from the drug trade is often used to fund terrorist activities, sponsored by organizations such as the ISI.

The Cocaine Trade: A Growing Concern

• India is increasingly becoming a hotspot for the cocaine trade, controlled by South American drug cartels.
• Investigations have revealed links between these cartels and NRIs in Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Europe, as well as local Indian drug lords and gangsters with connections to Khalistani terrorists and the ISI in Pakistan.
• The involvement of notorious criminals like Dawood Ibrahim and his gang is also under investigation.

The Role of Darknet and Cryptocurrency in Drug Trafficking

• Research indicates that a large portion of the darknet, approximately 62%, is used for illegal drug trafficking.
• The anonymity and low risk provided by darknet markets have disrupted traditional drug markets.
• The rise of cryptocurrency payments and the convenience of home delivery services through courier companies have further boosted darknet transactions.
• Despite the challenges in apprehending traffickers, the Narcotics Control Bureau in India has managed to dismantle an organized darknet racket and arrest several Indian nationals.

Addressing the Threat: A Coordinated Approach

• The increasing involvement of organized gangs in drug trafficking and gun running is a significant concern. A disturbing trend of terrorists collaborating with underworld gangs has been noted.
• It is crucial for security agencies to collaborate and adopt a coordinated approach to tackle this escalating threat.
• The use of technical surveillance and traditional policing methods can aid in seizing large quantities of drugs and arresting gang members.
• A proactive approach is necessary to effectively tackle this problem.

Conclusion:

• The escalating issue of the drug trade is a serious threat to India's national security. The illegal revenue generated by this trade is diverted to disruptive activities, wreaking havoc on society.
• It is critical for law enforcement agencies to adopt a proactive approach to address this issue. Despite the low success rate in apprehending traffickers using the darknet, it is essential to devise new strategies to neutralize this growing menace.