India: Large and Growing Market: India has become vulnerable with its strategic location between the Golden Crescent and the Golden Triangle making it a critical transit point for drugs and establishing it as a major smuggling route. With its massive population and increase in disposable income has become a lucrative market for drugs. There is also growing acceptance of drug culture with changing social norms and increasing influence of Western culture and movies. With Punjab being 100 % compromised and a growing web of drugs in J&K and Northeast, the traffickers are easily influencing the addicts to execute any illicit activity. The drug addiction rate indicates a dependency on alcohol, cannabis, and opiates in the country. Drug trafficker aims to maximize profits by exploiting India’s vast and young market. The primary aim is to target India’s sovereignty and national security. To expand their influence, organized crime groups seek to establish control over India’s drug market to support extremist groups and destabilize the social fabric of the country. In this article, the author has focussed on the menace of drugs in Kerala. She will navigate you to all the possible routes and modus operandi that have been used in the past to supply drugs in the state.
Kerala, known for its lush green landscapes and vibrant culture, has been grappling with a growing problem of drug trafficking. The state’s strategic location, with a long coastline and proximity to international borders, makes it an attractive route for drug traffickers.
Kerela’s narcotics trade is fuelled by its proximity to major drug-producing countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. The state coastline stretching over 590 Km, provides an ideal entry point for smugglers. Additionally, Kerela’s busy ports and airports facilitate the transportation of drugs to other parts of India. The state is facing a drug abuse crisis with the substance abuse rate being a significant contributor to the state’s high suicide rate. The Kerala Excise Department has also increased surveillance around schools to prevent drug use and proliferation.
The Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle are the two most notorious drug-producing and trafficking regions in the world. Golden Crescent is a South Asian region that includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran. It is the world’s largest producer of opium, accounting for over 90% of global production. The lack of effective governance makes it an ideal place for opium cultivation.
Golden Triangle is a region in South East Asia that includes Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. It is a major producer of opium, heroin, and methamphetamine. The region’s rugged terrain, porous borders, and corruption make it a hub for drug trafficking.
Drugs transported to Kerala typically originate from various national and international sources like Golden Cresence, Golden Triangle, South East Asia, and Africa. The national sources are North East India (Assam, Meghalaya, and Manipur), West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. With porous borders and increased corruption, the supply chains have become highly sophisticated to increase and be part of the international organized crime networks Here’s a closer look at the supply chain of drugs in the state:
- Coastal Smuggling
- Container Shipping
Drugs are hidden in fishing nets, fuel tanks, and or compartments. Reports suggest speed boats transport drugs from neighbouring countries or states. Drugs are concealed in cargo holds or containers. While using the coastal villages as a source of the supply chain, drugs are offloaded at isolated coastal villages and then transported inland.
Land Borders:
The state land borders with neighboring states and countries have become a significant conduit for drug trafficking, posing a formidable challenge to law enforcement agencies. The state’s unique geography, with its extensive borders and dense forests, provides an ideal environment for smugglers to operate undetected. A few key border routes connecting drugs to the state are:
- Tamil Nadu Kerela Border: This is a major route for drug smuggling particularly for cannabis and methamphetamine.
- Karnataka Kerela Border: Major routes for drug smuggling like heroin and cocaine.
- Andhra Pradesh Kerela Border: Major route for drug smuggling particularly for cannabis and synthetic drugs.
The modus operandi of smuggling remains well-sorted by supplying drugs hidden in vehicles in designed compartments. There are pedestrian smugglers who carry drugs on foot, using forest paths and rural roads. Drug trafficking is a compromised crime and many times the officials are involved in facilitating drug smuggling through land borders.
Over the years the state has witnessed several high-profile drug smuggling cases, exposing the scale and complexity of this illicit trade. Some famous Drug Smuggling cases in Kerela are:
- Edakkad Smuggling Case (2011): In a massive haul, 10 kg of heroin worth ₹10 crore was seized from a house in Edakkad, Kannur. The case led to the arrest of several key players in the smuggling network.
- Beypore Smuggling Case (2013):15 kg of heroin worth ₹15 crore was seized from a fishing boat off the Beypore coast. The case highlighted the use of coastal routes for drug smuggling.
- Kerala-Tamil Nadu Smuggling Racket (2018): A gang smuggling drugs from Tamil Nadu to Kerala was busted, with 5 kg of heroin seized. The case exposed the cross-border nature of drug smuggling networks.
Kerala’s geographical location and tourist influx have contributed to its vulnerability to drug trafficking.
- Geographical Advantage: Kerala’s coastline and proximity to international borders make it an ideal drug-trafficking route.
- Tourist Influx: Kerala’s tourism industry attracts visitors from around the world, creating a demand and supply of drugs. Several
- Lack of Effective Monitoring: Inadequate monitoring of cargo and passengers at airports and seaports enables drug traffickers to operate undetected.
Kerala’s strategic location on the southwestern coast of India makes it an attractive transit point for international drug trafficking routes. Foreign nationals, particularly from Africa and the Middle East, have been exploiting this advantage, smuggling drugs into the state through various means.
The Foreign Connections in the drug trafficking:
Kerala’s drug landscape has taken a sinister turn with the emergence of a foreign connection, as international drug cartels and traffickers have set their sights on the state’s vulnerable borders and booming tourist industry. As the state struggles to contain the spread of drugs, a disturbing trend has emerged -the involvement of foreign nationals in the trade, bringing with them sophisticated networks and tactics that threaten to overwhelm the state defenses. Kerala’s strategic location on the Indian Ocean has made it a prized destination for international drug traffickers who are exploiting the state’s porous borders and thriving tourist industry to flood the market with narcotics.
African Nationals: A Dominant Force
African nationals, especially from Nigeria, have been arrested in large numbers for drug trafficking in Kerala. They often act as couriers, carrying drugs into the state through airports or ports. Once inside, they establish connections with local drug peddlers and gangs to distribute the drugs.
Middle Eastern Nationals: A Growing Presence
Middle Eastern nationals, particularly from Iran and Dubai, have also been involved in drug trafficking in Kerala. They often use their business connections to smuggle drugs into the state, hiding them in cargo shipments or using false compartments.
Implications for Kerala
The involvement of foreign nationals in drug trafficking has severe implications for Kerala. The state’s youth are increasingly falling prey to drug addiction, with many cases of drug-related deaths reported. Moreover, the influx of foreign nationals has led to a rise in organized crime, with drug trafficking gangs operating with impunity.
Conclusion:
Kerala’s law enforcement agencies have been working to combat drug trafficking, with a focus on foreign nationals. Increased surveillance at airports and ports, intelligence gathering, and collaboration with international agencies have led to several arrests and seizures. As Kerala grapples with the consequences of its emergence as a drug trafficking hub, it is clear that a multifaceted approach is needed to address the root causes of this crisis, from strengthening law enforcement to providing support for addiction recovery.
As a good citizen of the country when I see the high literacy states are getting gripped with drug abuse, the only question that I would like to put to the readers is “Will Kerala’s war on drugs be won through increased enforcement, community engagement, or a fundamental shift in societal values- or will it require all of the above?”
