Terror, drug networks converge as syndicates adopt new methods to evade Indian agencies
New Delhi, Aug 10
Groups that indulge in terror activities and narcotic smuggling are constantly adapting, adding to the woes of the Indian security agencies. Earlier, these groups worked independently, but today they have merged, becoming a big security headache.
The Narendra Modi government has set a national vision to achieve a drug-free India by 2047. On August 18, a nationwide mass pledge against drug abuse will be made to mark the first anniversary of the initiative.
The Indian agencies have been relentless in their pursuit against the drug mafia. Multiple investigations are ongoing to hunt down members of these syndicates. An official said the job ahead is tough.
While the agencies have achieved plenty of success in the last year and a half, the problem is that these drug syndicates can adapt quickly. It is common knowledge that a large part of the proceeds from the drug trade goes into funding terror.
Earlier, the arms and drug mafia would work independently. The agencies had managed to figure out ways of beating down this problem. For instance, there was a particular set of modules and people who would handle arms smuggling. The case was similar in the matter of those involved in the drug trade. Now both are working in tandem, and this is posing a problem for the agencies.
Consignments these days largely comprise both drugs and arms, and this is an indicator that the mafias are working together. Hence, the modules are no longer segregated, and this makes the mafia even bigger, the official explained.
On August 7, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) charged two persons with smuggling a firearm, an improvised explosive device (IED) and heroin. These two persons planned to undertake attacks in Delhi and Punjab along with striking at a passenger train.
Officials say that this clearly shows how both mafias are working in tandem in a bid to confuse Indian security agencies. The ISI keeps rewriting the playbook each time the Indian agencies get the better of these smugglers.
An Intelligence Bureau official said that the focus of these mafias is largely today on Punjab and Rajasthan. In Punjab, the delivery vehicle preferred the most remains the drones. In Rajasthan, a more conventional way is used whereby smugglers attempt to slip through the borders with contraband, the official added.
The Punjab problem, however, is more complex when compared to Rajasthan. The drones that come in are technologically very advanced. Each time the border agencies managed to figure this out, the smugglers upgrade to a drone that uses more advanced technology.
Many of these drones today are even connected to satellites, and this clearly is proof of how the Pakistan state is directly involved in this, the official also added.
Another official said that in all recent busts, it has been found that arms and drugs are not being smuggled separately.
Almost every bust in recent months has had contraband comprising both drugs and arms, the official said.
For these syndicates, this is a more feasible option as the job gets done in one single operation.
Officials said that at times the arms and drugs come in smaller quantities and at times the contraband is larger. The larger quantities are found in Punjab while the smaller seizures have taken place in Rajasthan. This is to do with the fact that the Punjab smuggling model involves only drones from Pakistan and the involvement of humans is almost nil.
The officials said that the ISI has also instructed these syndicates never to repeat their handlers and the persons indulging in this trade.
The agencies such as the NIA, Enforcement Directorate (ED), Intelligence Bureau and Border Security Force (BSF) are working together to track down the handlers based in Pakistan and also the money trail. However, crucial to such operations would be local contacts and getting hold of them would solve the menace to a large extent, an official also noted.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The issue is not just about border security. We need to look at the demand side too. If there was no drug consumption in India, these syndicates would have no market. We need better de-addiction programs and education in schools and colleges. The pledge against drug abuse is a good start but we need sustained action, not just symbolic gestures.
As someone from Punjab, I can tell you this is real. Our youth are being destroyed by this narco-terrorism. The ISI and Pakistan are using drugs to destabilize our state. But what about the local handlers? The article correctly points out that we need to catch the local contacts. We need more vigilance at the grassroots level and better coordination between Punjab Police and central agencies.
This is not just India's problem, it's a global issue. The convergence of terror and drug networks is something many countries are dealing with. India's approach of involving multiple agencies like NIA, ED, IB, and BSF is good, but there needs to be more cross-border cooperation with other nations. The satellite-connected drones are particularly worrying - this shows how sophisticated these networks have become.
The 2047 vision for a drug-free India seems far-fetched but we have to start somewhere. My concern is that the agencies keep saying they have success but the problem keeps growing. Maybe we need to look at why these networks are so resilient. Is it poverty? Unemployment? Lack of opportunities in border areas? We need to address root causes, not just the symptoms.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.