Smuggling in India – Report 2023-24

Syllabus: GS3/Internal Security

Context

• The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has released the annual ‘Smuggling in India – Report 2023-24’ report.

Major Highlights

• Cocaine trafficking has seen a marked increase in India, particularly through direct routes from South America and via African countries.
  • The agency recorded 47 cases in 2023-24 of smuggling of cocaine through the air route, against 21 cases the previous year.
• Hydroponic marijuana is being smuggled in from the US, Thailand and other countries.
• Black Cocaine: An alarming trend is the emergence of “black cocaine,” a new variety of drug that is difficult to detect using standard detection methods.
  • It is chemically masked with substances like charcoal or iron oxide, creating a black powder that can evade drug-sniffing techniques. 
• Illicit Gold Imports:
  • India has become a major destination for illicit gold imports, with gold and silver.
  • It predominantly originates from West Asia, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where these metals are sourced and available at lower prices.
  • Smuggling syndicates are now employing “mules” with diverse profiles, including foreign nationals and families, alongside insiders. 
• Porous Eastern Borders: Smuggling through India’s porous eastern borders, particularly with Bangladesh and Myanmar, has also emerged as a major concern for law enforcement agencies
  • It indicates an uptick in methamphetamine smuggling, particularly in northeastern states like Assam and Mizoram.
• Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are misused by traders through misclassification of imports and fake letters.
• Environment and Wildlife Crime: The black-market demand for elephant tusks, continues to fuel illegal poaching.
  • Due to increasing demand in South East Asian countries, there is a potential for an increase in smuggling of star tortoise from India. 
  • Peacocks, Pangolins and Leopards are hunted for the illegal trade.

Narco Trafficking Routes

• The Death Crescent (Golden): It includes Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, is a primary source of heroin trafficked into India.
  • This heroin is routed to India mainly through African and Gulf regions, in addition to traditional routes through India-Pakistan border and maritime routes.
• The Death Triangle (Golden): It includes the regions of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, a significant source of synthetic drugs and heroin.
  • Drugs enter India through the northeastern states, where difficult terrain, and porous borders makes trafficking easier at multiple entry points.

• Maritime Routes: The vast coastline of India presents opportunities for drug traffickers, cases of drugs being smuggled through concealment in shipping containers and fishing vessels have been noticed.
• Air Routes: It has become a potent method for smugglers due to the speed and increasing volume of international air traffic.
  • Drugs are often concealed in luggage, courier packages or ingested by carriers (known as “mules”).

Initiatives Taken against Illegal Drug Abuse

Global Initiatives:

• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC): The UNODC is at the forefront of the global fight against illicit drugs. The UNODC-led campaign aims to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
• International Narcotics Control Board (INCB): The INCB monitors the global drug situation and assesses countries’ compliance with international drug control treaties. 
• Paris Pact Initiative: This initiative focuses on combating the trafficking of Afghan opiates, which are a major source of illicit drugs globally. 

Indian Initiatives:

• Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act): Comprehensive legislation provides the legal framework for drug control in India. It prohibits the production, possession, sale, and consumption of illicit drugs and prescribes penalties for violations.
• Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB): The NCB is the nodal agency responsible for drug law enforcement in India. It coordinates with various state and central agencies to combat drug trafficking and abuse.
• Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF): Many states have established ANTFs to strengthen drug law enforcement at the state level.
• National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR): Launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, this plan aims to reduce the demand for illicit drugs through prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and awareness programs.
• Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: Launched in 2020, this campaign aims to create awareness about the ill effects of drug abuse and promote a drug-free India. It focuses on community outreach, education, and rehabilitation programs.

Source: PIB