Introduction: Check Against J&K,
Rajasthan Becoming New Narcotics Transit Points, India told
The US Drug Enforcement Authority has sought India’s help to try and neutralise Afghanistan’s role in the estimated $400 billion narcotics traffic. It fears J&K and Rajasthan may emerge as the new supply routes for narcotics trade.
The DEA is targeting Afghanistan’s drug trade in the USA’s multi-pronged attack on terrorism. Narcotics Control Bureau officials said the USA had sought Iran and Pakistan’s help too.
America plans to destroy poppy fields through aerial attacks, NCB officials said. This tactic has been employed with varying success in Columbia. But the DEA’s request doesn’t include immediate attacks. It’s more to do with Intelligence sharing and requests for increased attention to the narcotics issue, they said.
Iran and Pakistan are the “prime trade routes” for Afghan narcotics, NCB officials said. Militancy sponsorship and narcotics have enjoyed a symbiotic relationship in Pakistan. Officials said the ISI uses “the operational network of one Iqbal Mirchi, a notorious smuggler and narcotics trader, with his base in London”. Mirchi has been identified as an associate of Dawood Ibrahim.
US action after Black Tuesday has already disrupted narcotics trade in Afghanistan. One reason for that is the closure of borders by Iran and Pakistan. But Pakistani channels are not entirely blocked, officials said. The DEA apprehends that Rajasthan and J&K may see opening of new narcotics trade routes. It has asked the NCB to keep an eye out for such a possibility. The DEA usually works through US diplomatic missions in various countries while coordinating with local narcotics enforcement authorities.
The Taliban claims it has officially stopped poppy cultivation and that the crop has been destroyed. NCB officials said that according to Western Intelligence agency reports the Taliban had enough stockpile to trade for another five years. Officials fear more “leakage” to narcotics trade from the officially sanctioned poppy cultivation in India. India, Myanmar and Thailand could emerge as substantial suppliers if there is a sustained breakdown in Afghanistan’s supplies.
Poppy is grown in Mundsor (Madhya Pradesh), Bhaiarvi Mandi (Rajasthan) and Barabanki, near Lucknow. India produces 10,000 metric tonnes of poppy every year, all under license. The produce is used by pharmaceutical companies. A major portion is exported legitimately.
Smuggling does not account for a
“very significant” proportion, officials said. The turnover of domestic
narcotics trade is “relatively small”. The Americans think both may change
now — for the worse.