12 November 2024 : Daily Answer Writing
Q1) Explain how the geographical location of India makes it extremely vulnerable to the menace of drug trafficking. What are the various internal security threats posed by drug trafficking?
(150 Words/10 Marks)
ANS
Drug trafficking is a worldwide problem which is also affecting India. India is both a destination and a transit hub for drug traffickers. Being closer to Golden crescent and Golden triangle, India is highly vulnerable to the drug trafficking as described:
- Golden crescent: Golden Crescent on West is one of Asia’s two principal areas of illicit opium production. It overlaps Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. The mountainous terrain makes it difficult to do surveillance and the bumper harvests have led to increased supply of heroin in the region.
- Golden triangle: Golden Triangle in East is another hotspot of opium production. It includes Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), opium production has gone up in the Golden Triangle by 22% after 2013.
- BIMSTEC manufacturing: BIMSTEC is a thriving center of pharmaceutical manufacture and trade. Region is known for large methamphetamine manufacturing, which is trafficked to all the nearby countries.
- Coastal vulnerability: Bay of Bengal, Arabian sea and Indian ocean have been a conducive channel for inflow of drugs in India. It facilitates drug traffickers, who use maritime sea route. Recent seizures of 371 kg and 1,156 kg methamphetamine by Indian authorities from Bay of Bengal reflects the issue.
As highlighted by security agencies, involvement of terrorist groups, syndicates in drug trafficking is a threat to national security and sovereignty by way of narco-terrorism “as it is a conduit for:
- Smuggling of arms: There is direct link between drug trafficking and weapons trade. Golden Crescent is a major source of heroin and hashish, which is smuggled through the Indo-Pak border. The ISI has been using these established channels for smuggling of arms and explosives, which has provided terrorism greater teeth.
- Terror financing: Narco-terror nexus has led to increase in terrorist activities in Kashmir, Punjab, Red corridor states, North-East states etc. Militants and Naxalites use drug money to finance their insurgency and terrorist activities against the State.
- Financial security: Drug trafficking has undermined India’s financial security of India by generating black money, hawala transactions, and money laundering. Drug and money laundering go hand in hand, creating a vicious circle of black, organized crime activities like human trafficking among others.
- Crime: Drug taking youth are more likely resort to other criminal activities, such as stealing, murder, rape, etc. Consumption of drugs, lead to mental health issues and dysfunctional behavior, also creating law and order problems.
To deal with the menace of drug trafficking, an integrated strategy including methods like greater surveillance, establishing anti-Narcotic force, amending Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 is needed.
