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Source: This post is created based on the article ‘Narco Taliban’ published in The Times of India on 30th Sep, 2023.
Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Internal Security
News: Methamphetamine, a strong illegal drug, is becoming more popular worldwide, with Afghanistan as a key source. This drug is replacing heroin.
Afghanistan has now become a hub for methamphetamine.
The UN office on drugs and crime (UNODC) has emphasized the increase in meth trafficking from Afghanistan.
What are the efforts taken by government to fight drug menace from Afghanistan?
Government has launched Operation Samudragupt to combat maritime drug trafficking from Afghanistan.
The amount of seized meth in India has seen a significant rise from 4.2 kg in 2018 to 357 kg in 2022.
What are the challenges in front of India?
According to the European Foundation for South Asian Studies, Afghanistan is transforming into a narco-state. Illegal drug has now become the dominant economic sector.
The natural presence of ephedra plants in Afghanistan, a key ingredient for meth, makes the situation even more challenging.
The drug’s affordability and India’s growing youth unemployment create a high-risk environment. there’s a risk unemployed youth might start using the affordable drugs.
