Page 65 - SMUGGLING IN INDIA REPORT FOR 2020-2021

CHAPTER 2: SMUGGLING OF NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES 19
opium and the manufacture of methamphetamine. All this has huge implications for India.
On 24th June 2021, the fifth Anti-Drug Working Group virtual meeting of BRICS heads of drug control agencies was held, wherein it was shared that although India has seized more than 1000 kg of Heroin from its territorial waters in the last one year, more concerted efforts are required for tackling maritime trafficking of drugs. Further, the need for closer cooperation among BRICS nations in fighting drug trafficking was emphasized. It was also pointed out that India
Trends
Drugs through Air route/ maritime route
Courier and postal cargo have emerged as a favorite mode of transportation of drugs by traffickers due to the anonymity associated with its use. DRI has been able to upgrade itself in terms of intelligence gathering and investigation skills to counter the ever-new methods being adopted by the drug traffickers.
has interdicted considerably more drug trafficking attempts through couriers and parcels in 2020 and that the member countries will benefit from the analysis of the change in tactics adopted by the drug trafficking organisations during the times of COVID-19.
DRI, being the apex anti- smuggling agency, coordinates with various national and international enforcement agencies as a part of its law enforcement efforts against smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
India, having a large coastline with many major and minor ports, is sensitive to drug trafficking through maritime routes also. The seizures of the narcotic drugs such as heroin being smuggled on boats/ships emanating from the gulf region and Iran in the recent past, coupled with certain COVID-19 restrictions on air/ land routes, suggest that the sea route will be exploited by