India’s proximity to two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What counter measures should be taken to prevent the same? (250 words):-
India is wedged between the world’s two largest areas of illicit opium production, the Golden
Crescent (Afghanistan, Iran & Pakistan) and the Golden Triangle (Thailand, Laos & Myanmar). These drug traffickers form cartels and enter into organised crime. India has a vast coast and traffickers make the sea ports vulnerable. Even terrorist have used sea route as we have seen in 26/11 Mumbai case. Money laundering also takes place on these routes. Sometime drug trafficking and other illicit activities act as barter system to pay for one with the other.
Counter Measures Taken to Prevent Trafficking:
• Coordination among various agencies needs to be improved.
• Information/intelligence gathering regarding trafficking, its analysis and dissemination
capabilities need to be strengthened.
• The issue of corruption among the border guarding forces as well as in other concerned agencies has to be dealt with in a pragmatic manner.
• Various domestic laws enacted for the control of trafficking should be implemented stringently and severe punishments should be accorded to drug stockists.
• Capacity building of personnel involved in prevention of trafficking in India and its neighbouring areas should be enhanced.
• Above all greater cooperation with neighbours on matters of trafficking need to be forged.
• Borders need to be sealed properly as the issue has been raised time and again.