drug trafficking and threats essay

Essay on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Students are often asked to write an essay on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Introduction.

Drug abuse and illicit trafficking are global problems. These issues affect society’s health, safety, and well-being. Drug abuse refers to the harmful use of drugs, while illicit trafficking involves illegal trade of drugs.

Effects of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse can lead to health problems, including mental disorders and physical illnesses. It can also cause social issues like unemployment, crime, and broken families.

Illicit Drug Trafficking

Illicit drug trafficking is a serious crime. It involves the manufacture, distribution, and sale of illegal drugs. This trade fuels crime, violence, and corruption.

To fight drug abuse and illicit trafficking, we need education, law enforcement, and treatment programs. It’s a fight that needs everyone’s participation.

250 Words Essay on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

The scourge of drug abuse.

Drug abuse is not confined to any demographic or socio-economic strata. It’s a pervasive issue that affects individuals, families, and communities. The repercussions extend beyond health problems, leading to broken families, lost potential, and increased crime rates. The abuse of prescription drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS) has emerged as a significant concern, highlighting the evolving nature of drug abuse.

Illicit Trafficking: A Global Problem

Illicit drug trafficking fuels organized crime, destabilizes societies, and undermines economic growth. The clandestine nature of drug trafficking makes it a complex issue to tackle. It’s a lucrative business for criminal networks due to the high demand for drugs and the significant profits involved.

The Interplay and Impact

Drug abuse and illicit trafficking form a vicious cycle. Increased availability of drugs due to illicit trafficking leads to higher rates of drug abuse. Conversely, the demand created by drug abuse fuels illicit trafficking. This interplay exacerbates the social and economic issues associated with each problem.

Addressing drug abuse and illicit trafficking requires a holistic approach that includes education, prevention, treatment, and law enforcement efforts. It’s crucial to break the cycle of demand and supply to effectively combat these issues. By understanding the complexities and interconnectedness of drug abuse and illicit trafficking, we can develop more effective strategies to address these global problems.

500 Words Essay on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Drug abuse and illicit trafficking are significant global issues that continue to pose a serious threat to public health, social stability, and economic development. They are intrinsically linked phenomena that reinforce each other, creating a vicious cycle that is challenging to break.

Illicit Drug Trafficking: A Global Concern

Illicit drug trafficking, on the other hand, is a global black market dedicated to the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of drugs that are subject to drug prohibition laws. It’s a highly profitable, yet dangerous business, often associated with powerful transnational organized crime networks. Its impacts are far-reaching, undermining social and economic development, political stability, and public health.

The Interplay between Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

The relationship between drug abuse and illicit trafficking is symbiotic. The demand for drugs fuels the illicit trade, while the availability of drugs promotes abuse and addiction. This interplay creates a self-perpetuating cycle that exacerbates both problems.

Addressing the Issue

Addressing drug abuse and illicit trafficking requires a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach. This includes prevention efforts aimed at reducing the demand for drugs, harm reduction strategies to minimize the negative health impacts of drug use, and supply reduction measures to disrupt the illicit drug trade.

Education plays a crucial role in prevention. By raising awareness about the dangers of drug use and promoting healthy coping mechanisms, we can help individuals make informed decisions and reduce the likelihood of drug abuse.

In conclusion, drug abuse and illicit trafficking are interconnected global problems that require concerted efforts to address. By understanding their interplay and implementing comprehensive strategies, we can work towards a future free from the devastating impacts of these phenomena. The challenge is daunting, but with the right approach, it is surmountable.

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91 Drug Trafficking Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best drug trafficking topic ideas & essay examples, 🎓 good research topics about drug trafficking, 📌 simple & easy drug trafficking essay titles, ❓ research questions about drug trafficking.

• Drug Trafficking and Drug Abuse Drug trafficking contributes to drug abuse in the society. Drug trafficking also contributes to increased criminal activities that affect the security of citizens.
• International Drug Trafficking: Analysis and Solution If an attempt is made to unify the process for all significant areas of drug trafficking, such a system will fail.
• Drug Cartels Problem Overview Drugs have been the major cause of the rise in the levels of corruption, disobedience to the law, and human rights abuses The selection highlights the key challenge of drug cartels in Latin America.
• Cocaine and Methamphetamine: Drug Threat in the United States This shortage of cocaine has been brought due to low production of cocaine In Mexico, and this was as a result of pressure from the United States government to DTOs, large seizure of cocaine consignment […]
• Policy Project: The Drug Trafficking The committee was also in making reports to the convention. Reforms in judicial systems should be advocated to the countries that are signatories of UN convention.
• Drug Trafficking in the UK This is the extent of the information available at the start of the research. The first element that has to be developed is the list of organizations that could potentially be involved with the smuggling […]
• Economics of Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Three major conditions associated with the development and origins of mafias include the abdication of legitimate government power, excessive bureaucratic power, and the financial potential of illegal markets.
• International Drug Trafficking and Its Legal Status The large-scale of the global drug trade has grown primarily due to the levels of financing and expansion that organized crime has invested in the industry.
• Drug Trafficking, National Security and Intelligence In most of the cases, these cartels used carrot-and-stick approach when it came to dealing with security agencies both in their home country and in the United States. The drug cartels in this country use […]
• What Can Law Enforcement Do About Drug Trafficking Therefore, there is a need for the creation and implementation of new federal and local laws that would ensure the appropriateness of police operations in the field of drug trafficking prevention.
• Drug Traffickers Arrest: Intelligence Cycle The case study about the arrest of 7 drug traffickers by Drug Enforcement Agency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations agents is a perfect case that required collection of information, processing it to […]
• Illegal Drug Trafficking Rates This is one of the most thriving trades in the world markets owing to the fact that, although majority of nations have criminalized drug trafficking, due to effects of the economic crisis that affected most […]
• Mexican Drug Cartels and Human Trafficking Reports from Mexico says that due to the pressure exerted on the drug cartels by the government, they have resolved in other means of getting revenue and the major one has been human trafficking alongside […]
• Colombian Drug Cartels: Government Response For instance, the Cali cartel participated a great deal in the downfall of the Medellin cartel as it was involved in the manhunt of the leaders of the Medellin cartel which saw the killing of […]
• Mexican Drug Cartels and the War on Drugs The examination of the current research on Mexican drug cartels and the War on Drugs helps to understand the causes of the outburst of violence, define the major tendencies of the Mexican War on Drugs […]
• Drug Cartels in Mexico According to sociologist Luis Astorga, the history of drug cartels in Mexico has a correlation with the political eras in the region. As such, they are the eyes and ears of the drug cartels.
• Drug Trafficking in the US Kleiman argues that drug trafficking in the US has brought about harmful effects to families, children and the greater population of the young people.
• Pre-Colombia Era of Drug Trafficking in the Americas: Andean Cocaine, 1947-1973 This led to the period where cocaine was considered as an illicit drug in most parts of the world. The United States utilized its popularity to spread the word over the continents on the dangers […]
• US Proposed Plan for Reducing Security Threat by Mexican Drug Cartels Terrorism in the modern world has become a big threat to the security of the world and especially the US citizens which is the largest economy in the world.
• Achieving Wealth and Power: Drug Trafficking
• Border Patrol Enforcement Have Impact on Illegal Drug Trafficking
• The Battle Between Border Security and Drug Trafficking
• Can National Governments Prevent Illicit Drug Trafficking?
• Death Penalty for Drug Trafficking: Is It Required?
• Drug Smoking and Drug Trafficking in the World
• The Link Between Drug Trafficking and Gang Violence
• Drug Trafficking and Distribution of Drugs: Overview
• Linking Drug Trafficking and Illegal Immigration
• The Relationships Between Drug Trafficking and Insurgent Terrorists
• Drug Trafficking and Its Effects on America
• Link Between Drug Trafficking and the Financing of Terrorism
• Drug Trafficking and Its Effects on the American Civil War
• Relations Between Drug Trafficking, Organized Crime, and Terrorism Interactions
• Drug Trafficking and Its Effects on the Human Body
• Illicit Trade and Drug Trafficking Proving to Be a Major Problem
• Drug Trafficking and Its Effects on US Policy and Economy
• Joint Interagency Engagement and Drug Trafficking
• Drug Trafficking and Narco-Terrorism as Security Threats
• Mexican Drug War: Drug Trafficking and Its Effects on Mexico
• Drug Trafficking and the Criminal Justice System of America
• Reducing Drug Trafficking In the United States
• Drug Trafficking Between Mexico and The United States
• Terrorism and Drug Trafficking at the South American Borders
• Drug Trafficking: Consequences, and Accountability
• Overview of the Biggest Drug Trafficking Organization
• Drug Trafficking Has Caused the Coffee Industry
• The Economics Behind Drug Trafficking and Cartels in Mexico
• Drug Trafficking Organizations and Counter-Drug Strategies in the US-Mexican Context
• The Fight Against Drugs and Drug Trafficking in America
• The History, Effect, and Cost of Drug Trafficking on Society
• The Long Existed Business of Drug Trafficking in Latin Countries
• Punishments and Laws Associated With Drug Trafficking in the United States
• UN’s Efforts to Control Drug Trafficking in Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, and Korea
• The United States’ Strategy for Combating Drug Trafficking
• War Against Drug Trafficking and the Drug Crisis in the USA
• Overview of Transnational Criminality and Illicit Drug Trafficking
• United States Drug Trafficking Problem Analysis
• Why Drug Trafficking Causes Gun Violence?
• Would Legalizing Drugs Discourage Drug Trafficking?
• How Can Drug Trafficking Be Controlled?
• Why Does Drug Trafficking Continue to Rise Despite the Risks Involved?
• How Does Drug Trafficking Affect the United States?
• What Is the Connection Between Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking?
• How Does Drug Trafficking Impact the Economy and the World at Large?
• Why Is It Important to Stop Drug Trafficking?
• When Did Drug Trafficking Become a Problem?
• Is Human Trafficking Bigger Than Drug Trafficking?
• What Is the Difference Between Drug Trafficking and Drug Smuggling?
• How Can We Solve the Problem of Drug Trafficking?
• What Is the Golden Triangle in Drug Trafficking?
• Is Drug Trafficking and Smuggling the Same Thing?
• What Are the Effects of Drug Trafficking in the Country?
• Why Is Drug Trafficking a Threat to Any Nation?
• What Are the Root Causes of Drug Trafficking in Central America?
• How Do Drug Trafficking Organizations Work?
• What Is the Penalty for Drug Trafficking in the USA?
• Is Human Trafficking More Profitable Than Drug Trafficking?
• What Is the Biggest Drug Trafficking Organization in the World?
• Does the FBI Handle Drug Trafficking?
• What Is the Political Effect of Drug Trafficking?
• Did Latin America’s Drug Trafficking Thrive During COVID-19?
• Who Started Drug Trafficking in Colombia?
• How Is Drug Trafficking to Blame for Violence in Latin America?
• What Has the UN Done for Drug Trafficking?
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113 Drug Trafficking Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Drug trafficking is a serious issue that affects countries all over the world. It is a multi-billion dollar industry that involves the production, distribution, and sale of illegal drugs. Drug trafficking not only fuels addiction and crime but also poses significant threats to public health and safety.

If you are tasked with writing an essay on drug trafficking, it can be challenging to come up with a topic that is both interesting and relevant. To help you get started, here are 113 drug trafficking essay topic ideas and examples:

• The history of drug trafficking
• The impact of drug trafficking on society
• Drug trafficking and its connection to organized crime
• The role of drug cartels in drug trafficking
• The influence of drug trafficking on international relations
• The economics of drug trafficking
• Drug trafficking and its impact on developing countries
• The relationship between drug trafficking and violence
• The role of law enforcement in combating drug trafficking
• The effectiveness of drug trafficking laws and policies
• The impact of drug trafficking on public health
• Drug trafficking and its connection to terrorism
• The impact of drug trafficking on human rights
• The role of technology in drug trafficking
• Drug trafficking and the dark web
• The role of corruption in drug trafficking
• Drug trafficking and its impact on the environment
• The role of drug trafficking in fueling addiction
• The impact of drug trafficking on marginalized communities
• The relationship between drug trafficking and drug addiction treatment
• Drug trafficking and its impact on the prison system
• The impact of drug trafficking on children and youth
• The relationship between drug trafficking and drug overdose deaths
• The role of drug trafficking in the opioid crisis
• The impact of drug trafficking on mental health
• Drug trafficking and its connection to human trafficking
• The role of drug trafficking in fueling gang violence
• The impact of drug trafficking on law enforcement officers
• The relationship between drug trafficking and money laundering
• The role of drug trafficking in the spread of infectious diseases
• The impact of drug trafficking on drug policy reform
• Drug trafficking and its impact on the criminal justice system
• The relationship between drug trafficking and drug sentencing disparities
• The role of drug trafficking in fueling drug wars
• The impact of drug trafficking on drug rehabilitation programs
• Drug trafficking and its connection to drug abuse prevention efforts
• The role of drug trafficking in drug overdose prevention
• The impact of drug trafficking on drug education programs
• The relationship between drug trafficking and drug legalization
• The role of drug trafficking in drug regulation
• The impact of drug trafficking on drug testing programs
• Drug trafficking and its connection to drug treatment programs
• The role of drug trafficking in drug use prevention
• The impact of drug trafficking on drug diversion programs
• The relationship between drug trafficking and drug diversion prevention
• The role of drug trafficking in drug diversion recovery
• The impact of drug trafficking on drug diversion treatment
• Drug trafficking and its connection to drug diversion prevention
• Drug trafficking

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Drug trafficking is a major source of revenue for organised crime groups, many of whom are involved in other forms of serious crime such as firearms, modern slavery and immigration crime. Action against drug trafficking therefore has a much wider disruptive impact on organised criminal activity.

  document Click here for image text ( 11 KB )

The threat from drug trafficking.

Drug related deaths through misuse reported in the UK rose from 4,517 in 2020 to 4,564 in 2021. Scotland continues to have the highest number of drug related deaths through misuse, 245 deaths per million. In England and Wales, the North East continues to have the highest rates of deaths at 104.1 deaths per million people. Newer synthetic opioids – such as fentanyl - have contributed to this rise.

Opium production in Afghanistan and cocaine production in Colombia are at record levels. This increase in production has the added effect of a high level of drug purity at street level as the criminals have less need to use cutting agents, and this brings its own dangers. The chemicals necessary for amphetamine production continue to enter the country in volume, while street prices drop, again indicating rising availability. Evidence suggests crack cocaine use - a particular driver of violence -is rising in England and Wales, while demand for all common drug types remain high.

There is significant, and often deadly, competition between rival organised crime groups at all stages of class A drugs production and supply. There is also corruption at every stage of the drug supply chain, including through the use of corrupt port and airport officials. 

Organised crime groups involved in drug trafficking are typically also involved in a range of criminal activity, and the profits from illegal drugs are used to fund other forms of criminal operations, including buying illegal firearms and financing terrorism.

Crime associated with drug trafficking is very often violent, with direct links to the criminal use of firearms and gang feud knife attacks, and traffickers frequently exploit young and vulnerable people. Cannabis gangs in particular are notorious for the trafficking and exploitation of Vietnamese children and other vulnerable people to carry out live-in work in dangerous cannabis factories.

County Lines

Urban street gangs play a key – and rising - role in the distribution of class A drugs, particularly heroin and crack cocaine. By their nature,  County Line  drug networks tend to operate across police and local authority boundaries, although not exclusively.

County Lines are not defined by the distance between the point of control and the point of distribution, but rather the mechanism by which that method of supply is supported; namely the use of a mobile telephone line and the use of vulnerable adults and children to facilitate the distribution. Importing areas are reporting increased levels of violence and weapons-related crimes as a result of this trend.

Read more: pdf NCA Intelligence Assessment: County Lines, Gangs, and Safeguarding ( 146 KB )

Routes into the UK

Most forms of illegal drugs originate overseas and are trafficked into the UK via various routes, including:

• Container shipping
• Yachts and small boats
• Light aircraft
• Vehicle traffic from continental Europe
• Airline passengers
• The post and fast parcels

Trafficking methods frequentlyrely on the recruitment of vulnerable people as mules - often at great risk to their lives and welfare. They can also rely on enlisting the help of employees at ports and borders; this corruption weakens the integrity of border security and increases the risk of other forms of trafficking, including firearms and organised immigration crime.

Profits are high at all stages of drug trafficking, but particularly for those who can access the drugs in their source country. Criminals from the Balkans dominate the cocaine market, but British traffickers remain a significant threat.

Read more:   pdf National Strategic Assessment of Serious and Organised Crime 2018 ( 3.48 MB ) .

Our response

Enforcement action against drug trafficking has a wider disruptive impact on organised crime. Crime groups involved in drug trafficking are typically involved in a range of criminal activity, so action against drug trafficking can simultaneously impact:

• Production of false documentation

Illegal drugs are a global threat.To combat organised crime groups operating across borders we cannot deal with the UK in isolation – we must work with partners around the world to coordinate action and prevent illegal drugs from reaching the UK in the first place.

International action

Our international network is a key asset in enabling us to tackle the threat before drugs reach the UK.

We work closely with authorities in source countries such as Colombia, Pakistan and Afghanistan to tackle production upstream. We provide intelligence, training, tactical guidance, equipment and other forms of support to help build capability and sharpen developing nations' response to the threat.

We also work with partners in transit countries from the Caribbean to West Africa, Turkey, Belgium and the Netherlands to intercept shipments and prevent them from reaching UK shores. We tackle the entire drug smuggling supply chain from source to street sale, so we are able to disrupt and dismantle networks at every stage of the drug trafficking process.

Working with partners such as Border Force , the Royal Navy , European and American authorities we have conducted several maritime operations to seize large quantities of drugs at sea.

Several of the fugitives on our Most Wanted list have been convicted or are suspected of being involved in drug trafficking. Where fugitives flee abroad we work with international law enforcement partners to locate, arrest and return them to the UK to face justice.

Within the UK

We lead our own investigations, provide intelligence to partners in the UK and around the world and coordinate multi-agency action. 

The NCA is taking a national leadership role in assessing the county lines threat, and prioritising the operational law enforcement response. 

Border Force is a key partner in securing our borders and preventing drugs from being successfully trafficked into the country. Police and regional organised crime units (ROCUs) are also vital partners in the fight against drug trafficking.

Because drug trafficking funds and enables other forms of crime our investigations often provide crucial intelligence into associated criminal operations. It can also help us to identify and safeguard victims of crimes such as modern slavery and child sexual exploitation and abuse. 

Reducing demand is another critical factor in reducing the supply of illegal drugs. Many people see recreational drug use as a victimless crime. The reality is that the production of illegal drugs for western markets has a devastating impact in source countries in terms of violence, exploitation of vulnerable and indigenous people and environmental destruction.

What you can do to help

You can help secure our borders against the trafficking of drugs and other criminal commodities.

If you see anything suspicious at the coast, on the waterways, at rural airfields or anywhere else please report it to your local police on 101 or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Chemical Suspicious Activity Reports

Chemical Suspicious Activity Reports (CSARs) are made by companies in the chemical or related industries and alert UK law enforcement to the potential purchase of chemicals to manufacture illegal drugs.

Related publications

• pdf National Strategic Assessment of Serious and Organised Crime 2021 Popular
• pdf National Strategic Assessment of Serious and Organised Crime 2020 Popular
• pdf National Strategic Assessment of Serious and Organised Crime 2018 Popular
• pdf County Lines Violence, Exploitation & Drug Supply 2017 Popular
• pdf National Strategic Assessment of Serious and Organised Crime 2017 Popular
• pdf Chemical suspicious activity report form Popular
• pdf County Lines - Gang Violence Exploitation and Drug Supply 2016 Popular
• pdf Recent Deaths Possibly Linked to Fentanyl Popular

Latest news on this threat

Four men charged after cocaine seized on boat off coast of Cornwall

Four men have been charged with drugs offences today after Border Force officers intercepted a fishing boat carrying approximately one tonne of cocaine off the coast of Newquay, Cornwall.

Four guilty of 1.5 tonne cannabis importation after NCA sting operation

A group of men from south east England have been found guilty of smuggling 1.5 tonnes of cannabis from Ghana to the UK hidden in sacks of Gari powder.

Most wanted fugitive arrested in Morocco back in UK

One of the UK’s most wanted men, arrested in Morocco earlier in the year after being on the run for four years, has been brought back to Britain by the National Crime Agency in conjunction with the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Latest vacancies

There are currently no open vacancies related to this article. Click on the button below to view all vacancies.

Most wanted in connection with this threat

Callum Michael Allan

Twelve alleged offences including possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Calvin Parris

Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Asim Naveed

Allegedly had a leading role in a highly organised crime group that trafficked Class A drugs. 

Wanted in suspicion of the supply of MDMA, methylphenidate (a pharmaceutical drug) and diazepam.

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Science, evidence-based facts, key to help end scourge of drug abuse: UN chief

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The world’s drug problem remains an urgent challenge that threatens to exacerbate COVID-19 pandemic impacts and hinder a healthy and inclusive recovery, warned the UN Secretary General ahead of The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

In a statement published on Friday, Antonio Guterres underscored that trusting science is the “hero and lesson of the pandemic”, and the same action based on evidence is crucial for the responses to drugs.

Worsening problem

The World Drug Report published this week by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime ( UNODC ) showed that drug related deaths have nearly doubled over the past decade. Moreover, 10% of HIV cases in 2019, were due to people injecting themselves with harmful substances.

The UN chief warned that although international cooperation has helped limit the proliferation of new psychoactive drugs, the problem is shifting to poorer regions where control systems are weaker.

Meanwhile, dark web drug sales continue to rise, and non-medical use of pharmaceuticals, including opioids, is expanding.

“ Drug trafficking and organized crime fuel and perpetuate cycles of violence and conflict. Armed groups and terrorists’ profit from the illicit drug trade, and the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic has left millions of people even more vulnerable to drug crime and illicit crop cultivation”, Mr. Guterres underscored.

Invest in prevention

The Secretary General pointed out that investing in balanced prevention as well as control of drug use and drug use disorders produces solid returns such as lives saved, healthier populations, improved workforce participation and productivity, and reduced criminal justice costs.

“ Many of the risk factors associated with crime and violent behaviour are also drivers of drug use, and targeted efforts focusing on these overlapping dynamics - including childhood maltreatment and lack of social support - can help to strengthen prevention”, he said.

More partnerships and data

Public-private partnerships - with tech companies, postal and courier services, and shipping companies - represent an essential frontline response in the new fight against drug traffickers, who “are increasingly exploiting the legal cargo trade and postal services to move their illicit product”, added Mr. Guterres, underscoring that better data is also useful to identify trends and enable real-time monitoring of the trafficking routes.

The Secretary General urged Member States to listen to the science and take action, building on agreed international frameworks and drawing on UN support for health and justice initiatives.

He also reminded that greater cooperation and support are needed to help low-income countries take advantage of cutting edge anti-drug enforcement techniques.

‘Share facts on drugs and save lives’

The head of UNODC, Ms. Ghada Waly, echoed the UN chief’s call for leveraging trustworthy, scientific information and the power of community in influencing health choices and addressing the world drug problem.

“Drugs are destroying health and stealing futures, with drug use alone killing almost half a million people in 2019. Awareness of the risks and access to evidence-based treatment and care can help prevent such tragedies”, she said.

In a statement, Ms. Waly explained the theme of this year’s International Day: Share facts on drugs. Save lives . “It highlights the need for evidence-based approaches to equip the public, as well as health and service providers, and decision makers with the tools to inform choices and effective services”, she emphasized.

The campaign highlights key statistics and data drawn from UNODC’s yearly World Drug Report. Thus, providing facts and practical solutions to the current world drug problem, to attain a vision of health for all, based on science.

Ms. Waly urged governments to expand evidence-based prevention and treatment programmes, as well as monitoring and early warning mechanisms to help lower-income countries detect and counter new substances and use trends.

About the day

Through resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, the General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

Supported each year by individuals, communities, and various organizations all over the world, this global observance aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society.

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Drug Trafficking and Threat to Security

• 20 Apr 2023
• 12 min read
• GS Paper - 3
• Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism

For Prelims: Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, NDPS Act , NCB , Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle, National Fund for Control of Drug Abuse, National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction

For Mains: Drug Menance: Threats, Challenges, Initiatives taken, challenges

Why in News?

The global drug trade is a major problem that has put security and law enforcement agencies on high alert worldwide , including in India.

• Traditionally India has been seen as sandwiched between the Death (Golden) Crescent and Death (Golden) Triangle and is being flooded with drugs, especially heroin and methamphetamine, from these two regions by drug lords indirectly supported by intelligence setups.

Why is Drug Trafficking Dangerous?

• It is a social problem that harms youth and families and the money it generates is diverted for disruptive activities that have bearings on national security.
• Methamphetamine (meth) is an addictive drug and can cause considerable health adversities that can sometimes result in death.
• This drug can cause raw wounds on the user’s skin that can spread rapidly with repeated exposure.
• It starts with ulcers, hardens to dead skin called eschar, and if left untreated can result in amputation.
• Drug trafficking is often associated with other forms of crime, such as terrorism , money laundering or corruption.
• Trafficking routes can also be used by criminal networks to transport other illicit products.

What is the Status of Drug Addiction in India?

• In 2018, The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has conducted a “National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India” in collaboration with AIIMS, New Delhi. The survey’s findings are as follows:

• According to World Drug Report 2022 , India has the fourth largest quantity of opium seized in 2020 at 5.2 tons and the third-highest amount of morphine was also seized in the same year at 0.7 tons.

From where the Illegal Drugs are trafficked in India?

• Parts of Pakistan adjoining Afghanistan are also used by Pakistani drug traffickers to convert Afghan opium to heroin and then sent to India.
• The Shan and Kachin provinces of Myanmar bordering China also pose challenges.
• Illicit arms are manufactured here and supplied to underground groups active in India.
• According to the latest annual report by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) , drug trafficking through sea routes in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, estimated to account for around 70% of the total illegal drugs smuggled into India.

What are the Initiatives taken by India to curb the Drug Menace?

• The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, (NDPS) 1985: It prohibits a person from producing, possessing, selling, purchasing, transporting, storing, and/or consuming any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.
• Preventive education
• Awareness generation
• Identification, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependent persons
• Training and capacity building of service providers through collaborative efforts of government and NGOs.
• Combating illicit trafficking
• Controlling abuse of drugs and substances
• Identifying, treating and rehabilitating addicts
• Preventing drug abuse
• Educating public against drug abuse
• The supply curb by Narcotics Control Bureau
• Outreach and Awareness and Demand Reduction effort by Social Justice and Empowerment
• Treatment through Health Department.
• It seized 2,160 kgs of meth in two different instances recently near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• United Nations (UN) Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961)
• UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971).
• UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988)
• UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) 2000

What are the Challenges in tackling Drug Trafficking in India?

• The success rate in catching traffickers using the darknet has been very low the world over.
• Transactions in Cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrency payments and doorstep deliveries, through courier services, have made darknet transactions attractive.
• Traffickers have become Creative and Tech Savvy: The traffickers have adopted to new age technologies such as supplying drug and guns through drones in Punjab which have posed new challenges before the security forces.
• In 2022, a person was arrested for doing the drugs business through making an e-commerce dummy website.
• In one more instance, few persons were arrested for selling drugs through e-commerce websites like amazon by listing fake products on the website.
• Nexus between Drugs Lords and NRIs: Recent investigations have revealed the connection of the drug cartels with NRIs based in Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and several European countries along with local drug lords and gangsters in India, who have links with Khalistani terrorists and the ISI in Pakistan.
• Trafficking through Local Gangs: A new trend has emerged wherein organised gangs, which primarily used to carry out extortion activities in their local areas are being used for drug trafficking as they are ready-made logistics to carry out such activities.

Way Forward

• To stop drugs from entering the country, measures must be taken such as controlling cross-border trafficking and improving drug enforcement. However, to fully address the problem, India must also work on reducing the demand for drugs through measures such as imposing harsher punishments under NDPS Act, 1985.
• Awareness must be spread among the people to lower down the drug addiction through campaigns and NGOs. The stigma associated with drug taking needs to be reduced. Society needs to understand that drug-addicts are victims and not criminals.
• Certain crop drugs which have more than 50% alcohol and opioids need to be contained. Strict action is required from police officers and the excise and narcotics department to curb the problem of drug menace in the country.
• Education curriculum should include chapters on drug addiction, its impact and also on de-addiction. Proper Counselling is another alternative.
• Concerted and coordinated efforts of all the agencies will be required to tackle this growing threat.
• Creating more employment opportunities would solve the problem to some extent as Quick, and more, money attracts unemployed youth towards such activities.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Q. Consider the following statements:

• The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) has a ‘Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air’.
• The UNCAC is the ever-first legally binding global anti-corruption instrument.
• A highlight of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is the inclusion of a specific chapter aimed at returning assets to their rightful owners from whom they had been taken illicitly.
• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is mandated by its member States to assist in the implementation of both UNCAC and UNTOC.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q. In one of the districts of a frontier state, narcotics menace has been rampant. This has resulted in money laundering, mushrooming of poppy farming, arms smuggling and near stalling of education. The system is on the verge of collapse. The situation has been further worsened by unconfirmed reports that local politicians as well assume senior police officers are providing surreptitious patronage to the drug mafia. At that point of time a woman police officer, known for her skills in handling such situations is appointed as Superintendent of Police to bring the situation to normalcy.

If you are the same police officer, identify the various dimensions of the crisis. Based on your understanding, suggest measures to deal with the crisis. (2019)

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2 Illegal Drugs as a National Security Threat: Securitization of Drugs in the U.S. Official Discourse

• Published: June 2015
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The chapter examines the process of securitizing drugs in the United States as a major national security threat. The work uses discourse analysis to examine the evolution of the perception of drugs as a national security threat. This chapter examines selected texts of governmental documents, official speeches, and press conferences in order to analyze the official position of the U.S. government regarding drugs.

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MENU DOJ Strategic Plan

• A Message from the Attorney General
• A Message from the Deputy Attorney General
• A Message From the Associate Attorney General
• Mission, Values, and Organization
• DOJ Strategic Plan at a Glance
• Strategic Goal 1: Uphold the Rule of Law
• Objective 2.1: Protect National Security
• Objective 2.2: Counter Foreign and Domestic Terrorism
• Objective 2.3: Combat Violent Crime and Gun Violence
• Objective 2.4: Enhance Cybersecurity and Fight Cybercrime

Objective 2.5: Combat Drug Trafficking and Prevent Overdose Deaths

• Objective 2.6: Protect Vulnerable Communities
• Strategic Goal 3: Protect Civil Rights
• Strategic Goal 4: Ensure Economic Opportunity and Fairness for All
• Strategic Goal 5: Administer Just Court and Correctional Systems
• Learning Agenda
• Strategic Plan - Multilingual Versions

Drug trafficking and substance abuse continue to take a significant toll on the American public.  In the twelve months between September 2020 and September 2021, more than 104,000 Americans died due to drug overdose.  The overwhelming majority of these deaths involved opioids.  The Department will address this harm in several ways.  The Department will combat transnational drug trafficking organizations.  These organizations are operating a $500 billion industry that fuels corruption, violence, and terrorism around the globe.

In addition, the Department will address the evolving nature of the illicit drug threat, on both the dark and clear webs.  While the dark web remains a threat, social media and e-commerce platforms on the clear web have emerged as new marketplaces to buy and sell counterfeit pills, opioids, and other drugs, as well as dangerous precursor chemicals and the equipment used to manufacture pills.  Many of the counterfeit pills sold online, which look exactly like actual pharmaceuticals, are marketed to kids, teens, and young adults, and are often mixed with synthetic fentanyl – the leading driver of the overdose epidemic.  Dismantling illicit online drug marketplaces and holding responsible corporations – including responsible executives – who enable these illicit drug marketplaces, are critical to preventing overdoses and stemming the flow of dangerous drugs into our communities.

The Justice Department will also continue to detect, limit, and deter fraud and illegal prescription, distribution, and diversion offenses that result in patient harm.  Finally, the Department will address the needs of individuals involved with the justice system who have substance use and mental health disorders to promote long-term recovery.

Strategy 1: Disrupt and Dismantle Drug Trafficking Organizations The Department will use all available resources to combat drug trafficking in the United States.  We will simultaneously target the trafficking organizations, their financial infrastructure, and their distribution networks.  We will share information across components and in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies.  We will employ enhanced intelligence analysis and scientific research to target, investigate, and prosecute traffickers participating in significant transnational, national, and regional drug trafficking organizations.  And we will target international sources of supply, money launderers, international and domestic transportation organizations, and regional and local distribution networks.

Strategy 2: Reduce Deaths and Addiction Driven by Drug Crime As part of our effort to address the opioid epidemic, we will focus our attention on the diversion of pharmaceutical controlled substances to illegitimate consumers.  The Department will continue to employ advanced data analytics to identify and investigate suspicious billing and prescription patterns.  We will also prosecute medical professionals and corporations – including responsible executives – involved in the illegal prescription, diversion, and distribution of opioids.  Finally, we will continue to evaluate drug prescription quotas and investigate and prosecute fraud and kickback schemes in the substance use treatment industry.

Strategy 3: Expand Access to Evidence-Based Prevention and Treatment In conjunction with other agencies, the Department will work to ensure that individuals with substance use disorders get the treatment and ongoing support they need.  The Department will support the expansion of evidence-based, opioid-use disorder treatment options, including for incarcerated individuals and those reentering the community.  For the public at large, the Department will work with other agencies to reform regulations to increase access to medication-assisted treatment and assist states and localities in implementing such programs.  The Department will also work with state, local, and Tribal partners to increase access to recovery support services and continuity of care across public safety and public health systems.  In addition, the Department will aggressively enforce the civil rights laws on behalf of people with substance use and mental health disorders. 

More broadly, the Department will also promote evidence-based crisis response deflection, diversion, and alternatives to incarceration, and will support education and training about substance use disorders for public safety professionals and others across the justice system.  To stop the cycle of substance use before it starts, we will invest in prevention efforts, particularly for youth, and combat the stigma associated with substance use disorders. 

Key Performance Indicators:

• Percent of disruptions or dismantlements of drug trafficking organizations focused on the highest priority targets
• Amount of diversion, nationally, of opioids and stimulants
• Percent of relevant-funded grantee programs that provide medication-assisted-treatment, which includes medication plus counseling, as part of their substance use disorder services

Contributing DOJ Components:  CIV, CRM, CRT, USAO, OCDETF, DEA, FBI, COPS, OJP, JMD 

23 years after 9/11, Americans face new international threat. We can fight it the same way.

At the presidential debate, trump and harris should be asked what they'd do about the terrorist attacks from opioid traffickers..

Twenty-three years ago, in the wake of 9/11 , the U.S. government marshalled a robust response to the terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives .

The Taliban regime, which harbored the attackers in Afghanistan, was toppled. The al-Qaida leaders were methodically hunted down. Airport security was tightened. And then-President George W. Bush demanded that our intelligence and law enforcement agencies overcome obstacles to coordination and work more closely together. This admirable, forceful reaction has kept us relatively safe from international terrorism ever since.

Today, the nation faces a different international threat, one that costs the same number of lives we lost on 9/11 every 10 days . According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdoses took the lives of 107,543 Americans last year .

That awful toll includes at least 74,702 fatalities resulting from synthetic opioids, including fentanyl ‒ about the same number of deaths associated with COVID-19 in 2023 .

Fentanyl crisis strikes far too many families, including mine

Most of the fentanyl originates as precursors in China, is manufactured in Mexico, then finds its way into the United States mostly through conventional means such as vehicles and packages. The drug overdose epidemic also imposes great economic cost on our nation; Congress’ Joint Economic Committee put the total at $1.5 trillion in 2020 . 

This is a deadly scourge that has struck far too many American families, including my own seven years ago, when we lost our courageous son Jonathan to an accidental overdose of fentanyl-laced heroin when he relapsed during his journey of addiction recovery.

I lost my son to fentanyl. Now my family is on the front lines of the opioid epidemic.

Halting progress is being made on several fronts. The number of deaths attributable to fentanyl, though appallingly high, is very slowly declining . Our capable law enforcement and intelligence agencies have been working steadfastly to interdict this influx of deadly drugs.

Indeed, the capture of two key Mexican cartel members in late July was an ingenious example of collaboration among the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. 

However, and reminiscent of pre-9/11, the agencies responsible for interdicting fentanyl and related substances have not been working as closely together as they should ‒ as closely as they worked against terrorism after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Obstacles to cooperation in the law enforcement and intelligence arena are difficult to overcome.

Treat fentanyl traffickers more like 9/11 terrorists

Despite vigorous denials by leaders, rivalries remain abundant at the working level among government organizations. One agency might be concerned that sharing information could put a prized source at risk or jeopardize an investigation supporting a prosecution. 

Sharing is not a natural act when agencies are physically separated and people with relevant information are not in the same room. In the worst case, knowledge can be held as power or as a source of institutional pride.

What are nitazenes? These new synthetic opioids could make fentanyl crisis look like 'the good old days'

To directly address these issues and more, President Joe Biden released a new national security memorandum on July 31, partially based on a report from the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, that takes the long-needed and vital step of identifying fentanyl-related deaths as a national security threat.

The memorandum directs every department of our government to do even more to tackle this scourge and to better share the information required to do it. It also establishes a National Security Council-led Fentanyl Disruption Steering Group to oversee the effort.

This isn’t glamorous stuff, but it’s crucial.

More specifically, the president’s memo establishes fentanyl as a stand-alone intelligence priority . It directs government agencies to work together to increase intelligence collection, exploitation and dissemination; establish a common assessment of the threat; increase the scale and speed by which information is shared; and work more collaboratively to support strategic disruption efforts.

It takes the key step of directing that fentanyl traffickers be treated more like terrorists in how they are tracked.

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store .

The memo also directs enhanced collaboration with private sector entities in a variety of fields, including s hipping, freight forwarding, e-commerce and social media . Indeed, there is a gaping need for better technology and far more capacity for detection at ports of entry, including border crossings and package handling facilities.

The Transportation Security Administration has, at some inconvenience to passengers, made air travel safer. To help prevent fentanyl deaths, Americans should be willing to accept similar inconvenience in border crossing and package delivery.

To be sure, the epidemic of overdose fatalities, which affects the United States more than other high-income nations , is a multidimensional supply-and-demand problem. There is no silver bullet. A major obstacle has been stigma, similar to that present during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has dampened our nation’s overall efforts.

We will prevent other families from experiencing this tragedy only by leveraging every tool at our disposal, amplifying our efforts in prevention, treatment and interdiction.

The opioid crisis shouldn’t be overshadowed in the news by the presidential race; it ought to be an integral part of the race.

At their debate scheduled for Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump should be pressed to detail their plans for combatting the crisis ‒ and be asked to pledge to continue the new policies aimed at addressing the fentanyl pre-9/11 moment we are experiencing every day.

James “Sandy” Winnefeld, a retired Navy admiral, was the ninth vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is co-chair of  SAFE Project , a nonprofit organization working to end the opioid epidemic, and is the chair of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board.

You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page , on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter .

Drug trafficking in India: emerging challenges – Explained, pointwise

Current Affairs Classes Pre cum Mains 2025, Batch Starts: 11th September 2024 Click Here for more information

• 1 Introduction
• 2 About the status of Drug trafficking in India
• 3 What are the reasons behind Drug trafficking in India?
• 4 What are the various initiatives undertaken to regulate Drug trafficking in India?
• 5 What are the challenges in regulating Drug trafficking in India?   
• 6 What is should be done?

Introduction

Drug trafficking in India is a serious issue that poses challenges to the social, economic, and political fabric of the country. The illegal trade of drugs has been a persistent problem, and it continues to evolve and become more sophisticated with new technologies and methods.

The emergence of darknet markets and increased use of maritime routes has posed new challenges in the fight against drug trafficking in India. It is important to address these emerging challenges with innovative solutions to ensure the well-being and safety of society.  

About the status of Drug trafficking in India

According to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)’s latest annual report, drug trafficking through sea routes in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal accounts for around 70% of the total illegal drugs smuggled into India. The use of maritime routes by international drug syndicates based in Pakistan and Afghanistan is expected to increase.   

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s World Drug Report 2022 revealed that India is one of the world’s largest opiate markets in terms of users and is vulnerable to increased supply from Afghanistan . Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are leading in India’s epidemic of opioid users, while Gujarat is now the third worst state in terms of drug overdose deaths.   

A survey report by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) in 2019 showed that drug consumption in India has increased compared to the survey report in 2004.   

Over 60% of the darknet is being used for illegal drug trade due to its anonymity and low risks. The use of cryptocurrency payments and courier services for doorstep delivery has made darknet transactions more appealing than traditional drug markets.  

What are the reasons behind Drug trafficking in India?

There are several reasons behind drug trafficking in India, some of which are:   

Geographical location: India’s location between the “Golden Crescent” and “Golden Triangle ” regions, which are major drug-producing areas, makes it vulnerable to drug trafficking.   

Example: Drugs like heroin, opium, and hashish are produced in the Golden Crescent, which includes Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, and are smuggled into India through the northwest border.   

Porous borders: India shares borders with several countries that are known for drug production and trafficking, and these borders are often poorly guarded and easily penetrated by smugglers.   

For instance, the North-East States that share borders with Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, China, and Bhutan are the hot-spots for drug smuggling.  

High demand: India has a large population, and there is a high demand for drugs, both for recreational and medicinal purposes.   

For example, drugs like marijuana and cocaine are in high demand in metropolitan cities like Mumbai and Delhi.  

Lack of awareness: There is a lack of awareness among people about the dangers of drug abuse, and many people do not know how to identify drug abuse or how to get help.   

Example: Young people who are not educated about the risks of drug abuse are particularly vulnerable to falling prey to drug traffickers.   

Corruption: Corruption among law enforcement agencies and government officials allows drug traffickers to operate with impunity.   

Example: Some drug traffickers are able to bribe officials at border crossings to allow them to smuggle drugs into the country without being caught.   

What are the various initiatives undertaken to regulate Drug trafficking in India?

Domestic initiatives :

National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) : It was introduced in 1985 to regulate drug trafficking and the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in India.   

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB): It is the nodal agency for drug law enforcement in India. It was established in 1986 to coordinate drug law enforcement efforts across the country.   

National Narcotics Coordination Portal: The multiplicity of stakeholders in Drug Law Enforcement has necessitated coordination between various agencies on real time basis.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted a four tier coordination mechanism for increasing coordination amongst the nationwide stakeholders from grass root level to apex level and effectively combating the menace of drugs. The Apex NCORD, Executive NCORD, State NCORD and District CORD are four pillars of mechanism.   

Integrated Rehabilitation Centers for Addicts (IRCAs): The MoSJE provides financial assistance to NGOs and voluntary organizations for the maintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centers for Addicts (IRCAs). These centers offer comprehensive rehabilitation services to individuals with substance abuse disorders.   

National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR): The MoSJE launched the NAPDDR for 2018-2025. The Plan aims at reduction of adverse consequences of drug abuse through a multi-pronged strategy.

The activities under the NAPDDR, inter-alia, include awareness generation programmes in schools/colleges/ Universities, workshops/seminars/ with parents, community based peer led interactions intervention programmes for vulnerable adolescent and youth in the community, provisioning of treatment facilities and capacity building of service providers.  

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan/Drugs-Free India Campaign : It was flagged off on 15th August 2020 (Independence Day) for 272 districts across 32 State/Union Territories that have been identified as the most vulnerable in terms of usage of drugs in the country. It is operational with the involvement of more than 500 voluntary organizations across the country, which are assisted financially under the NAPDDR scheme.   

International collaborations and treaties:  

Bilateral Agreements and Conventions: India has signed several bilateral agreements and conventions with other countries to regulate drug trafficking, including the UN Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs 1961, The Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 and The Convention on Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.   

Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs): India has signed various MLATs with other countries to cooperate in the investigation, prosecution, and extradition of drug traffickers. These MLATs provide a legal framework for the sharing of information and evidence between the signatory countries.   

Participation in international organizations: India is a member of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), which work to coordinate international efforts to prevent drug trafficking.   

Joint Operations and Information Sharing : India cooperates with other countries through joint operations and sharing of intelligence to prevent drug trafficking.   

For example, The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in conjunction with the intelligence agencies, has been making big seizures frequently. ICG has developed a good synergy not only with the security agencies but also with the coast guards of Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh.   

What are the challenges in regulating Drug trafficking in India?    

Technological Advancements: Drug traffickers are increasingly using technology to evade law enforcement agencies. For instance, they use the darknet to sell drugs, untraceable internet-based technology for drug-related communications, and drones to transport drugs from across the border.  

Insufficient Law Enforcement Apparatus : Despite efforts to improve law enforcement, there is a perceived lack of coordination among different agencies. This has led to the failure to effectively tackle drug trafficking and abuse.   

Lack of Social Awareness: Drug abuse and addiction are often stigmatized in Indian society, which hinders efforts to create awareness and promote prevention measures.   

Inadequate Rehabilitation Facilities: There is a need to develop more rehabilitation facilities for drug addicts in India. The available facilities are often insufficient to cater to the needs of the large number of people struggling with addiction.   

Political Interference: Political interference often hampers the work of law enforcement agencies and hinders their ability to tackle drug trafficking effectively.   

What is should be done?

Strengthening law enforcement: The government should take measures to strengthen the law enforcement agencies involved in drug control, including Customs, the Narcotics Control Bureau, and state police forces. This can include providing them with better training, technology, and resources.   

Creating public awareness: The government can create public awareness campaigns to educate people about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of preventing drug trafficking.   

Tackling drug addiction: The government can provide more support for drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation, including setting up more treatment centres and providing more funding for existing ones.  

Increasing international cooperation: The government can work with other countries to increase international cooperation and sharing of information and intelligence on drug trafficking networks.   

Addressing socio-economic issues: Socio-economic factors like poverty, unemployment, and lack of education can contribute to drug abuse and trafficking. Therefore, the government can address these issues through poverty reduction measures, employment generation schemes, and increasing access to education.   

Strengthening laws and regulations: The government can strengthen laws and regulations related to drug trafficking and impose stricter penalties for offenders.   

Reducing demand: Reducing demand for drugs can be done through community-based prevention programs, education, and awareness campaigns.   

Improving border control: The government can improve border control by increasing surveillance, using advanced technology and equipment, and strengthening border security forces.   

By taking a multi-faceted approach, India can overcome the issue of drug trafficking and make progress towards a drug-free society.  

Sources : Indian Express ( Article 1 and Article 2 ), The Wire , The Hindu , AIR , Hindustan Times and The Hindu Businessline

Syllabus : GS – 3: Security Issues – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.

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Illegal drugs expected to be top national security threat in 2024: DHS

DHS released a new report outlining the threats to the U.S.

Illegal drugs are expected to be one of the biggest threats to national security in 2024 as overdose deaths topped 100,000 in the last year, according to the Department of Homeland Security's annual threat study.

In its report released Thursday , DHS said it expects illegal drugs produced in Mexico and sold in the United States will continue to kill more Americans than any other threat.

"While terrorists pose an enduring threat to the Homeland, drugs kill and harm far more people in the United States annually," the report states.

MORE: To help curb terrorism and violence threats, DHS awards $20M to local communities

In the past year, traffickers have contributed to more lethal mixes of fentanyl -- an already deadly drug -- on the market and driving an increase in overdose deaths in the U.S., DHS said. It is expected that fentanyl will remain the leading cause of narcotics-related deaths in the U.S. in 2024, according to the report.

The report also notes that illegal drugs impact American communities by "supporting violent criminal enterprises, money laundering and corruption that undermines the rule of law."

More than 100,000 people died from drug overdoses in the U.S. during the last year, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 75% of those overdose deaths are from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.

DHS said it has invested in stopping these dangerous and illegal drugs from entering the country -- seizing more fentanyl, and arresting more people for fentanyl-related crimes in the last two years than in the previous five years combined, DHS said in a statement to ABC News.

Terrorism , both foreign and domestic, remains a top threat that DHS said it will monitor -- especially as they target the United States' critical infrastructure.

"During the next year, we assess that the threat of violence from individuals radicalized in the United States will remain high, but largely unchanged, marked by lone offenders or small group attacks that occur with little warning," DHS said in its report. "Foreign terrorist groups like al-Qa'ida and ISIS are seeking to rebuild overseas, and they maintain worldwide networks of supporters that could seek to target the Homeland."

MORE: There have been more mass shootings than days in 2023, database shows

The "Homeland Threat Assessment 2024" gives a sweeping perspective on threats to the United States. A senior DHS official told reporters on a conference call the threat assessment will "maximize" the "clarity and impact" of threats facing the homeland.

In the report, DHS identified the potential for threats along the southern border in 2024.

DHS officials said that as more people come to the border, there is an increased likelihood of seeing individuals "that have some connection to associates that may be on the watch list or those that might be directly related to terrorist activity." The report said that last year there was an increase of about 100 terror watchlist suspects who were encountered along the border.

"[U.S. Customs and Border Protection] is on pace to encounter more migrants at the southern border this year than any other year except 2022, with encounters spiking just prior to the January announcement of expanded parole processes for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela," the report said.

Also, "increased migration from the eastern hemisphere has exasperated border security challenges," the report said.

MORE: White House holds first-ever summit on the ransomware crisis plaguing the nation's public schools

Domestic violent extremists will continue to be a focus for DHS, according to the report.

"These actors will continue to be inspired and motivated by a mix of conspiracy theories; personalized grievances; and enduring racial, ethnic, religious, and anti-government ideologies, often shared online," the report said.

Another ripe target for domestic extremists is the 2024 election, according to the report. Bad actors will likely use technologies and cyber tools to "enhance their capabilities and malign influence campaigns, ultimately to undermine our confidence in a free and fair election," the report stated.

"Cyber actors likely will seek to exploit election-related networks and data, including state, local, and political parties' networks and election officials' personal devices and e-mail accounts."

MORE: 9 Russians charged with cyberattacks targeting US companies

DHS said these cyberattacks, which may come from countries such as Russia, China and Iran, will "continue efforts to target and steal sensitive US information, research, and technology," in addition to attempting to potentially meddle in the 2024 election, according to the report.

Ransomware and cyberattacks are also a focus of DHS' threat landscape.

"Between January 2020 and December 2022, the number of known ransomware attacks in the United States increased by 47 percent," the report said. "Ransomware attackers extorted at least $449.1 million globally during the first half of 2023 and are expected to have their second most profitable year."

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Increased transregional organized crime threats focus of interpol americas meeting.

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The significant threat posed by transnational organized crime and the associated increase in violence is the focus of INTERPOL’s 26th Americas Regional Conference.

The impact generative Artificial Intelligence and syndicates splintering to maximise profits are having on major crime threats such as human, drug and firearms trafficking, and cybercrime will also be discussed over the three-day (11-13 September) meeting.

The conference, attended by senior law enforcement officials from 35 countries across the region and beyond, was opened by the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis who said:

“Our collective success depends on our ability to work together. Pooling our resources, intelligence, and best practices.

“This shared approach strengthens our capacity to anticipate, prevent and respond to criminal activities that threaten the safety and stability of our nations.”

Operational results

Delegates will also be briefed on outcomes from established INTERPOL-coordinated operations tackling human trafficking and migrant smuggling ( Turquesa ), firearms ( Trigger ) and drug trafficking ( Lionfish ).

Conducted over many years, these operations not only produce results in terms of arrests and rescuing victims, they also develop strong networks of specialists enabling direct and trusted information exchange in follow-up enquiries.

INTERPOL President Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi said:

“Transnational organized crime – closely tied to drug trafficking – is a serious global threat that will require our focus this week, as it weakens public safety, governance, and economies across the Americas and the Caribbean.

“This highlights the need for a strong, coordinated approach, where INTERPOL’s global network is crucial.”

Common voice for police

INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said:

“Police officers today are witnessing what is an unprecedented increase in transnational threats, or crises, on a global scale.

“A convergence driven by a never-ending thirst of criminal networks to expand their transcontinental grip and maximize their illicit proceeds.

“This is where INTERPOL plays a vital role, providing a common voice for police – for a safer, even if more complex, world.”

With the number of records shared by the Americas almost quadrupling over the past 10 years – from 11.6 million to just under 44 million – it is the fastest growing region in terms of police information sharing.

In addition, so far in 2024 two thirds of all arrests of internationally wanted fugitives reported to INTERPOL have involved at least one National Central Bureau in the Americas.

Countries involved

Related news

Record seizures in INTERPOL operation against drug trafficking

INTERPOL operation strikes major blow against West African financial crime

Mexico and Colombia dismantle transnational sex trafficking ring

219 criminals arrested and 1,374 victims identified in action week against human trafficking

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Longtime mexican drug cartel leader pleads not guilty in new york.

NEW YORK — Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada , the powerful longtime leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel, pleaded not guilty Friday in New York on a 17-count indictment accusing him of narcotics trafficking and murder.

Participating through a Spanish-language interpreter, Zambada didn’t speak, except to give brief answers to a judge’s standard questions about whether he understood various documents and procedures and how he was feeling - “fine, fine” he said. His lawyers entered the not-guilty plea on his behalf. Zambada sat quietly as he listened to the interpreter. Leaving court, he appeared to accept some assistance getting out of a chair and then walked out slowly but unaided.

Sought by American law enforcement for more than two decades, Zambada has been in U.S. custody since July 25, when he landed in a private plane at an airport outside El Paso in the company of another fugitive cartel leader, Joaquín Guzmán López, according to federal authorities.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

NEW YORK (AP) - Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada , the powerful longtime leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel, is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in New York on a 17-count indictment accusing him of narcotics trafficking and murder.

Zambada later said in a letter that he was forcibly kidnapped in Mexico and brought to the U.S. by Guzmán López, the son of the imprisoned Sinaloa co-founder Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

U.S. prosecutors in Brooklyn have asked the judge to detain Zambada permanently while he awaits trial. If convicted on all charges, Zambada , 76, faces a minimum sentence of life in prison and would be eligible for the death penalty.

In a letter to the judge, prosecutors called Zambada “one of the world’s most notorious and dangerous drug traffickers.”

“The defendant maintained an arsenal of military-grade weapons to protect his person, his drugs, and his empire,” they wrote. “His heavily armed private security forces were used as his personal bodyguards and as protection for drug shipments throughout Mexico , Colombia, Ecuador, and beyond. Moreover, he maintained a stable of ‘sicarios,’ or hitmen, who carried out gruesome assassinations and kidnappings aimed at maintaining discipline within his organization, protecting against challenges from rivals, and silencing those who would cooperate with law enforcement.”

That included ordering the murder, just months ago, of his own nephew, the prosecutors said.

Zambada pleaded not guilty to the charges at an earlier court appearance in Texas.

His surprise arrest has touched off fighting in Mexico between rival factions in the Sinaloa cartel. Gunfights have killed several people. Schools in businesses in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa, have closed amid the fighting. The battles are believed to be between factions loyal to Zambada and those led by other sons of “El Chapo” Guzmán, who was convicted of drug and conspiracy charges and sentenced to life in prison in the U.S. in 2019.

It remains unclear why Guzmán López surrendered to U.S. authorities and brought Zambada with him. Guzmán López is now awaiting trial on a separate drug trafficking indictment in Chicago, where he has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges in federal court.

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United Nations

Office on drugs and crime, drug trafficking and the financing of terrorism.

Speaking at a recent conference in Istanbul, "The Role of Drug Trafficking in Promoting and Financing Today's Global Terrorism," jointly organized by Turkey, the United States and Colombia, UNODC Senior Terrorism Prevention Officer Irka Kuleshnyk said that "While it is difficult to establish how widely terrorist groups are involved in the illicit drug trade, or the breadth and nature of cooperation between these two criminal groups, the magnitude of the numbers involved make the relationship worrisome."

According to the UNODC's World Drug Report 2007, the total potential value of Afghanistan's 2006 opium harvest accruiing to farmers, laboratory owners and Afghan traffickers reached about $US3.1 billion. In addition, it is reported that in 2004, some 400 tons of cocaine was exported from one Latin American country, with an estimated domestic value of US$ 2 billion. How much of this money is used for perpetrating acts of terrorism? Estimates vary. But even a small percentage would be more than sufficient for some individuals or groups to plan, finance and carry out terrorist acts.

Indeeed drug trafficking has provided funding for insurgency and those who use terrorist violence in various regions throughout the world, including in transit regions. In some cases, drugs have even been the currency used in the commission of terrorist attacks, as was the case in the Madrid bombings.

Effective tools do however, exist which can chip away at - and eventually contribute to breaking - the links. For example, at the international level there is a common legal framework consisting of 16 universal anti-terrorist instruments, as well as relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Included in the latter is a series of UN resolutions imposing sanctions - such as the freezing of assets, a travel ban and an arms embargo, on members of the Taliban, Al-Qaida and their associates. There are currently 124 entities and 226 individuals on this list.

Illicit drug traders and terrorists are not some mysterious entity, Kuleshnyk says. Rather they are usually groups and networks that operate in ways that can be understood, identified, tracked and ultimately disrupted. We need to integrate our work to build up more effective and efficient networks so that we may defeat these illegitimate networks that perpetuate so much destruction throughout the world.

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