Narco-terror nexus examined case-wise, Centre informs RS

Source: The post is based on the article “Narco-terror nexus examined case-wise, Centre informs RS”  published in The Hindu on 3rd August 2023.

What is the News?

The Union Home Ministry has informed the Rajya Sabha that the nexus between illegal trade in narcotics and terrorist activities is examined case-wise.

India’s Vulnerability to drug trafficking:

Traditionally, India has been seen as sandwiched between the Golden Crescent (Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan) and Golden Triangle (Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar and Thailand).

India is being flooded with drugs, especially heroin and methamphetamine, from these two regions by drug lords indirectly supported by intelligence setups. 

Nearly 90% of the world’s demand for these drugs is being met from these two regions. India is both a big market and a transit route for other countries.

Is there a nexus between narcotics business and terrorist activities?

The Home Ministry said that the nexus between illegal trade in narcotics and terrorist activities is examined case-wise.

For instance, in Manipur, since 2018, four cases have been reported to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in which five “Indians” were arrested with narcotic substances along with arms and ammunition.

What are the steps taken by the government of India to tackle illegal drug trafficking?

The Government of India has entered into bilateral agreements with 27 countries, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 16 countries and two agreements on security cooperation for preventing illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals.

The Government of India has introduced the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism in 2016 to have effective coordination of actions among various ministries, departments, Central and State law enforcement agencies dealing with narcotics.

A Special Task Force on Darknet and Crypto Currency has been constituted to monitor suspicious transactions related to drugs on Darknet.