Context:
A recent report by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has highlighted a significant increase in drone-driven drug smuggling across the Indo-Pak border, particularly in Punjab. The state's proximity to Pakistan and history of cross-border drug trafficking have made it a hotspot for this new modus operandi.
Key Findings:
· Sharp Increase in Drone-Based Smuggling: NCB reported 179 cases of drone-based drug trafficking in 2024, a substantial jump from just three cases in 2021.
· Heroin and Opium Smuggling: The majority of smuggled substances were heroin and opium, with a total of 236 kilograms seized in 2024.
· Punjab Hotspot: Out of 179 cases, 163 incidents occurred in Punjab, with border districts like Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Gurdaspur witnessing a sharp increase in drone sightings and recoveries.
· New Challenge for Law Enforcement: Drones enable smugglers to bypass traditional security measures, making it harder for authorities to detect and track narcotics
NCB’s Efforts to Counter the Threat:
· Registration of 96,930 drug-related cases in 2024
· Arrest of over 1.22 lakh individuals, including 660 foreign nationals
· Increased use of technology, radar, and drone-capture systems
· Coordination between agencies through the NCORD portal
· Strengthening of anti-narcotics task forces in states like Punjab
The NCB is also actively tracking darknet transactions and cryptocurrency use in drug trafficking, having registered 96 such cases between 2020–2024.
About Drug Menace in India:
1. Escape from Realities: The decline of the joint family system and moral values has led many to seek solace in drugs.
2. Loosening Social Control: Weakening social cohesion makes individuals more vulnerable to drug abuse.
3. Peer Pressure: Youth, especially in educational institutions, are often influenced by peers to use drugs.
4. Easy Availability: India’s location near drug-producing regions like the 'Golden Crescent' and 'Golden Triangle' facilitates drug trafficking.
5. Economic Prosperity: Increased disposable incomes in states like Punjab have made drugs more accessible.
About India’s Regulatory Framework:
1. Article 47 of the Indian Constitution directs the state to prohibit harmful drugs.
2. International Conventions: India is a signatory to various international drug control conventions such as 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (amended in 1972), the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
3. Existing Laws: Key laws include the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
4. Key Institutions: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), along with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Social Justice, plays a pivotal role in combating drug abuse.
5. Technological Interventions: The NCORD portal and MANAS helpline provide coordination and support for combating drug addiction.
Conclusion:
Drone-driven drug smuggling along the India-Pakistan border is a significant and growing security concern. The complex interplay of drug trafficking, socio-economic factors and the evolving tactics of traffickers require urgent attention. India’s legal framework and multi-agency efforts are crucial to tackling the drug menace, but addressing the root causes of drug abuse will require sustained societal efforts.
