Terrorist-Drug Nexus [UPSC Notes]

The narcotics trade is a major social issue that is posing a serious threat to national security in India. The drug lords are using India both as a market and a transit route to other countries. This illegal trade generates a huge amount of money which is diverted towards disruptive activities that have severe consequences on society. 

In this article, you can learn more about the terrorist-drug nexus, especially with respect to India. This topic is relevant for the IAS exam security segment of GS III.

Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent

• India has traditionally been situated between the Golden Crescent and the Golden Triangle.
• These two regions are the main sources of heroin and methamphetamine, and they satisfy almost 90% of the global demand for these drugs.
• Drug lords are indirectly supported by intelligence establishments, making it challenging for law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking.
• It appears that Pakistani drug traffickers utilize areas of Pakistan adjacent to Afghanistan to turn Afghan opium into heroin.
• The Kachin and Shan provinces of Myanmar that are near China also pose challenges.

Read more about the Golden Triangle in the linked article.

Maritime Route and Drones:

• The maritime route has become more active due to the recent events in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Using drones to smuggle drugs and weapons across the border into Punjab is a new trend.
• The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has been making frequent large seizures, and it has a good working relationship not only with security agencies but also with coast guards in other countries.
• The money obtained through the narcotics trade is being used for terrorist activities sponsored by the ISI.

Cocaine Trade:

• India is becoming a popular place for cocaine, controlled by drug cartels from South America. 
• Investigations have found connections between these cartels and NRIs in Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Europe, along with local drug lords and gangsters in India who have links to Khalistani terrorists and ISI in Pakistan. 
• The involvement of Dawood Ibrahim and his gang is also being investigated.

Darknet and Cryptocurrency:

• A study suggests that the majority of the darknet, around 62%, is being used for illicit drug trafficking. 
• The anonymity and low risks offered by darknet markets have disrupted traditional drug markets. 
• The popularity of cryptocurrency payments and doorstep delivery services through courier services has further increased darknet transactions. 
• Despite the difficulty in catching traffickers, the Narcotics Control Bureau in India was able to bust an organized darknet racket and arrest multiple Indian nationals.

Tackling the Menace:

• Organized gangs are increasingly involved in drug trafficking and gun running, which is a major cause for concern. There is also a worrying trend of terrorists collaborating with underworld gangs. 
• It is essential for security agencies to work together and take a coordinated approach to tackle this growing threat. 
• The use of technical surveillance and basic policing methods can help in seizing large quantities of drugs and arresting gang members. 
• A proactive approach is necessary to effectively tackle this problem.

Conclusion:

• The growing menace of the narcotics trade is posing a serious threat to national security in India. The illegal money generated by this trade is being diverted to disruptive activities that have severe consequences on society. 
• It is important for law enforcement agencies to take a proactive approach to tackle this issue. The success rate in catching traffickers using the darknet has been low, but it is essential to develop new strategies to neutralize this growing menace.

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