Drug trafficking: A serious security concern. What beyond an annual reminder?

financialexpress.com:

By Dr AP Maheshwari

We have recently celebrated the International Day on Drug abuse and illicit trafficking! We are fully aware about the supply chain emanating from the Golden crescent and Golden Triangle that are impacting India in so many ways. They are a conduit as well as a phenomenon of spillover market and terror funding. Similar challenges are posed by Pakistan-Afghanistan as well as China-Myanmar borders that have been exploited by the players in the field. These cartels have not only collaborated with arms suppliers & human traffickers but have also been using local criminal networks and local insurgent as well as the terror elements. In a way it has become a dangerous proxy war tool in the hand of those who believe in it.

If we analyse the Indian scenario, illicit trafficking is now following all the routes. Waterways, where during operation Samudra-Gupta NCB and Navy sized 2500 kg of Metha valued over Rs 15000 crores originating from Pakistan; air routes where Pakistan has been supplying drugs through drones across the border in Punjab and the land routes that have been used across J&K, Nepal border and Northeastern segments. Less inhabited islands have also been exploited for the purpose. The synergetic results by Indian Coast Guards along with intelligence agencies and the agencies of neighbouring countries distinctly throw complete light on the impending dangers.

The action by the border guarding forces ends up in arresting the local couriers and seizing the consignments. These are, in a way, the running stocks for the dealers of drug or terror but then they too must be factoring in such contingencies. Hence, the real challenge lies in investigating such cases across all geographics that are relevant and