State-wise Seizure of Drugs on India-Bangladesh and India-Pakistan Borders

 

“State-wise Seizure of Drugs on India-Bangladesh and India-Pakistan Borders”

 

By: KHRITISH SWARGIARY

Email: khritish@teachers.org

 

In this comprehensive article, we're going to look at the information provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs about drugs that have been stopped from crossing the borders between India and Bangladesh, and India and Pakistan, from 2020 to 2023. Our goal is to see if there are any patterns in the data, point out any worrying trends, and suggest possible solutions to this important problem.

 

Source - RAJYA SABHA SESSION - 260 UNSTARRED QUESTION No 2312.

ANSWERED ON, 9TH AUGUST 2023. Data from (as on 01-01-2020 to 20-06-2023). Data in Kgs.

Sl. No.

Border

State

Items

2020

2021

2022

2023

1

India-Bangladesh Border

Assam

Brown Sugar

0.087

0.017

0.002

0.13

2

India-Bangladesh Border

Assam

Charas (cannabis)

0

0

362.87

0

3

India-Bangladesh Border

Assam

Ganja

37.55

423

1517.327

181.395

4

India-Bangladesh Border

Assam

Heroin

0.002

0.629

10.093

0.117

5

India-Bangladesh Border

Meghalaya

Ganja

179.75

29.9

31.182

7.9

6

India-Bangladesh Border

Meghalaya

Hemp

11.8

5.5

0

0

7

India-Bangladesh Border

Meghalaya

Heroin

0.01

0

0

0

8

India-Bangladesh Border

Meghalaya

Poppy

0

25

0

0

9

India-Bangladesh Border

Mizoram

Ganja

0

0

0

54

10

India-Bangladesh Border

Mizoram

Heroin

0

1.783

0.335

0.104

11

India-Bangladesh Border

Tripura

Brown Sugar

0

24.282

1.154

0.769

12

India-Bangladesh Border

Tripura

Ganja

5331.25

13176.24

18636.88

11332.81

13

India-Bangladesh Border

Tripura

Hemp

0

16

10

0

14

India-Bangladesh Border

Tripura

Heroin

0.001

0.027

0

0

15

India-Bangladesh Border

West Bengal

Brown Sugar

1.854

0.257

3.528

0.635

16

India-Bangladesh Border

West Bengal

Charas (cannabis)

13.2

30.5

0

0

17

India-Bangladesh Border

West Bengal

Cocaine

0

0.003

0

0

18

India-Bangladesh Border

West Bengal

Ganja

6082.131

5705.995

9096.109

3665.543

19

India-Bangladesh Border

West Bengal

Hemp

102.15

15.15

32

4.5

20

India-Bangladesh Border

West Bengal

Heroin

2.609

8.505

1.255

0.559

21

India-Bangladesh Border

West Bengal

Opium

6.29

7.217

4.545

2.6

22

India-Bangladesh Border

West Bengal

Poppy

0

4

0

0.65

23

India-Pakistan Border

Gujurat

Charas (cannabis)

69

31

65.025

36.95

24

India-Pakistan Border

Gujurat

Heroin

0

1.1

49

6.05

25

India-Pakistan Border

Jammu and Kashmir

Heroin

61.004

37.945

49.4

0

26

India-Pakistan Border

Jammu and Kashmir

Opium

1

0

0

0

27

India-Pakistan Border

Punjab

Ganja

0

0

0

0.01

28

India-Pakistan Border

Punjab

Hemp

0

0.25

0.12

0

29

India-Pakistan Border

Punjab

Heroin

506.241

485.581

320.884

248.103

30

India-Pakistan Border

Punjab

Opium

1.242

0.429

2.007

0.175

31

India-Pakistan Border

Punjab

Poppy

0

0

0

5.7

32

India-Pakistan Border

Rajasthan

Heroin

8.96

64.64

23.978

44.594

33

India-Pakistan Border

Rajasthan

Opium

6.3

1

1.269

80

34

India-Pakistan Border

Rajasthan

Poppy

70

23

106

0

 

 

The data reveals a significant quantity of drugs seized across multiple states bordering Bangladesh and Pakistan. Among the substances confiscated are brown sugar, cannabis (charas and ganja), heroin, cocaine, opium, hemp, and poppy. The states with the highest recorded seizures include Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, West Bengal, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan.

 

Tripura has seen a shocking amount of ganja seized, with 5,331.25 kg in 2020, 13,176.24 kg in 2021, 18,636.88 kg in 2022, and 11,332.81 kg in 2023 (until June 20th). Similarly, West Bengal has recorded significant ganja seizures, with 6,082.131 kg in 2020, 5,705.995 kg in 2021, 9,096.109 kg in 2022, and 3,665.543 kg in 2023. These numbers highlight how cannabis trafficking is widespread along the borders.

 

Heroin seizures have also been significant in various states. Punjab, for instance, confiscated 506.241 kg in 2020, 485.581 kg in 2021, 320.884 kg in 2022, and 248.103 kg in 2023. Rajasthan has also reported substantial heroin seizures, with 8.96 kg in 2020, 64.64 kg in 2021, 23.978 kg in 2022, and 44.594 kg in 2023. These figures underscore the serious threat posed by the heroin trade across borders.

 

Additionally, other drugs like brown sugar, charas, cocaine, opium, hemp, and poppy have been seized, with varying amounts across different states and years. It's important to note that these numbers represent only the drugs that have been stopped, and they may not reflect the full extent of trafficking activities.

 

The findings from this data analysis are deeply concerning and require immediate action from law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and other stakeholders. It's crucial to strengthen border security measures, improve surveillance, and step up efforts to intercept drug trafficking. Collaboration with neighboring countries through international cooperation and intelligence sharing is essential to combat this cross-border challenge effectively.

 

Addressing the underlying causes of drug trafficking, such as poverty, lack of opportunities, and organized crime, is crucial. Implementing comprehensive strategies to reduce demand, including awareness campaigns and support for rehabilitation and treatment, can help tackle the root of the problem.

 

Here are the practical suggestions for addressing the above-mentioned drug-related problems and underlying causes.

 

       i.          Enhanced Border Security is crucial. We should invest in better surveillance tools like drones and cameras to watch border areas closely. Also, increase the number of border patrols and set up checkpoints with modern scanning devices to catch hidden illegal items.

 

     ii.          Interdiction Efforts need to be intensified. This means we should do more targeted operations based on information to break down drug trafficking networks. We need to focus on areas and routes where the risk of smuggling drugs is high, using data from previous seizures and gathering intelligence.

 

    iii.          International Cooperation is important. We should work closely with neighboring countries by forming joint task forces and sharing information. By coordinating our actions, we can better track and stop drug trafficking across borders.

 

    iv.          Community Engagement is key. We must involve local communities in reporting suspicious activities to the police. Building trust and partnerships with community leaders can help us fight drug trafficking together.

 

      v.          Demand Reduction Programs are essential. We need to educate people about the dangers of drug abuse through programs in schools, communities, and workplaces. Also, provide counseling, rehabilitation, and treatment services for those struggling with drug addiction.

 

    vi.          Targeted Law Enforcement is necessary. We should focus on breaking up organized crime groups involved in drug trafficking. This requires intelligence-led operations and tougher penalties for drug-related crimes.

 

   vii.          Public Awareness Campaigns are vital. Launch media campaigns to inform people about the risks of drug abuse and the importance of reporting illegal activities. Awareness can help prevent drug trafficking and reduce demand for drugs.

 

 viii.          Socio-Economic Development is crucial. Addressing poverty and creating job opportunities can reduce the need for people to turn to drug trafficking for income. Invest in economic programs in vulnerable communities to tackle the root causes of drug trafficking.

 

    ix.          Data Analysis and Monitoring are important tools. Continuously analyze seizure data and trafficking trends to adjust strategies and allocate resources effectively. This helps us stay ahead of emerging threats and make informed decisions.

 

      x.          Legislative Reforms are needed. Review and update laws related to drug trafficking to ensure they are effective and aligned with international standards. Improve legal frameworks for cooperation in criminal cases across borders.

 

By following these practical steps in a coordinated way, we can disrupt drug trafficking networks, reduce drug abuse, and protect our communities from the harms caused by drugs and organized crime.

 

In conclusion, the data on drug seizures along the India-Bangladesh and India-Pakistan borders highlights the seriousness of the issue. It requires coordinated efforts from various stakeholders, including law enforcement, policymakers, international partners, and civil society. A holistic approach combining improved security measures, socio-economic interventions, and demand reduction strategies is necessary to disrupt the drug trade and ensure the safety of our communities.

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