Q.9. Explain how narco-terrorism has emerged as a serious threat across the country. Suggest suitable measures to counter narco-terrorism. [UPSC 2024 GS P-3]

Narco-terrorism refers to the intersection of drug trafficking and terrorism, where terrorist organizations engage in the narcotics trade to fund their activities, spread violence, and destabilize governments. In India, narco-terrorism has emerged as a serious threat, particularly in regions close to international borders. The nexus between drug syndicates, insurgent groups, and criminal networks poses significant challenges to national security, public health, and law enforcement.

Emergence of Narco-Terrorism in India

1. Cross-Border Smuggling:
   • India’s borders with Pakistan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan are vulnerable to drug trafficking, which directly funds terrorist and insurgent activities.
   • Pakistan’s ISI has been accused of using drug money to fund terrorism in Kashmir and other parts of India, with heroin from Afghanistan being a key source.
   • Punjab has become a hotspot for drug smuggling due to its proximity to Pakistan. Drugs like heroin are trafficked through well-established routes, fostering local addiction crises and funding militant activities.
2. Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent:
   • India is located between two major drug-producing regions: the Golden Crescent (Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran) and the Golden Triangle (Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand). Narcotics from these regions are smuggled through Indian borders, particularly through Northeast India and the Indo-Pak border.
   • Terrorist groups operating in these regions, such as ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom) and Naga insurgents, are suspected of being involved in the drug trade to fund their separatist agendas.
3. Insurgent and Maoist Nexus:
   • In Northeast India and Red Corridor (Maoist-affected areas), insurgent groups are increasingly using drug money to finance their operations. Opium cultivation in Manipur, Nagaland, and parts of Jharkhand provides a financial lifeline to these groups.
   • Maoists have reportedly established links with drug cartels, using drug trafficking as a source of revenue for their armed insurgencies.
4. Funding for Jihadi Groups:
   • Narco-terrorism has also become a major source of revenue for Islamist extremist groups, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). These groups receive funds from the drug trade to carry out attacks and recruitment in India.
   • The influx of drugs into Jammu and Kashmir has compounded the existing militancy problem, with a growing youth drug addiction crisis being linked to attempts to weaken societal structure and increase radicalization.

Threats Posed by Narco-Terrorism

1. National Security:
   • Drug money is used to purchase arms and fund terrorist attacks, creating a direct threat to India’s internal security. The financial networks established by drug trafficking help fund large-scale terrorist operations.
2. Social and Economic Impact:
   • Regions like Punjab and Northeast India have witnessed a rise in drug addiction, especially among the youth. This not only destabilizes families and communities but also creates an environment conducive to radicalization and insurgency recruitment.
   • The economic costs of combating narco-terrorism, dealing with drug-related health issues, and managing the impacts on productivity are immense.
3. Corruption and Law Enforcement Challenges:
   • The drug trade often leads to corruption within law enforcement agencies and other government bodies. The involvement of state actors and criminal networks in narcotics has made enforcement and prosecution difficult.

Suitable Measures to Counter Narco-Terrorism

1. Strengthening Border Security:
   • Comprehensive border management systems must be deployed along porous borders with Pakistan, Myanmar, and Nepal. This includes enhancing the capabilities of the Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Assam Rifles in drug interdiction.
   • Advanced surveillance technologies such as drones, radars, and satellite imaging should be employed to monitor smuggling routes along international borders.
   • Collaborative efforts with neighboring countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Nepal, are crucial for intelligence sharing and coordinated action against transnational drug cartels.
2. Disruption of Drug Supply Chains:
   • Crackdowns on drug cultivation in insurgent-controlled areas such as Manipur, Nagaland, and Maoist territories should be prioritized. This includes deploying joint military and law enforcement operations to destroy poppy and cannabis crops.
   • Targeting drug production labs and processing centers in border areas can cut off the supply of drugs before they enter the market.
   • Law enforcement agencies should focus on dismantling the financial infrastructure of drug syndicates by freezing assets and tracking money laundering activities through Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs).
3. Enhancing Intelligence and Coordination:
   • Establishing a centralized intelligence-sharing mechanism involving agencies like the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and state police forces can improve coordination in tracking and dismantling drug-terror networks.
   • Real-time intelligence sharing with Interpol and regional organizations like SAARC can enhance India’s ability to combat international drug trafficking syndicates.
4. Strengthening Legal Frameworks:
   • The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 needs further tightening to deal with the complexities of narco-terrorism, including tougher penalties for those involved in the drug-terror nexus.
   • Fast-tracking trials related to narco-terrorism and creating specialized courts for drug and terrorism-related cases would ensure swift justice and deter criminal activities.
5. International Cooperation:
   • India must deepen its bilateral and multilateral cooperation with drug-producing and trafficking countries through agreements for joint counter-narcotics operations, capacity building, and law enforcement training.
   • Participation in global initiatives like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) can further India’s efforts to combat narco-terrorism on an international scale.
6. Public Awareness and De-Addiction Programs:
   • Comprehensive awareness campaigns should be launched in drug-affected regions, educating people about the harmful effects of drugs and the dangers of narco-terrorism.
   • Setting up de-addiction centers and rehabilitation programs, especially in high-risk states like Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Northeast India, will help counter drug addiction and prevent recruitment by terrorist organizations.
7. Cyber Monitoring and Crackdown:
   • Drug cartels and terrorist groups increasingly use the dark web and social media to traffic drugs and recruit operatives. Enhancing cyber intelligence and cracking down on online drug markets is crucial.
   • Collaboration between the cybercrime division and law enforcement agencies can help intercept digital communications and disrupt trafficking networks.
8. Empowering Local Communities:
   • Village defense committees and community policing programs in vulnerable areas can play a role in identifying drug trafficking activities and reporting them to authorities.
   • Empowering local leaders, tribal councils, and civil society organizations to fight against drug smuggling and addiction will also help build local resilience against narco-terrorism.

Conclusion

Narco-terrorism is a serious and growing threat to India’s security, particularly due to the country’s proximity to major drug-producing regions. The nexus between drug traffickers and terrorist organizations undermines internal stability, weakens law enforcement, and destroys communities through addiction. A multi-pronged strategy involving stronger border controls, enhanced intelligence, legal reforms, international cooperation, and public awareness is essential to combat narco-terrorism effectively. Addressing the socio-economic root causes and cutting off financial resources to terror networks is critical to dismantling this complex and dangerous threat.