‘Need to strengthen ocean security, max drugs shipped in Pak’

Security in the ocean needs to be strengthened as most drugs are shipped in Pakistan, and go via Iran to Sri Lanka and Africa, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Friday.

“At least 60-70% of drug smuggling happens through the sea route,” Shah said, adding that drug control is not just the Centre’s fight but of the states, societies and citizens.

Shah was speaking in Bengaluru at the southern regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security’ of the five southern states and three Union territories on tackling drug trafficking.

The meeting focused on curbing trafficking through sea routes, coordination between state and central drug enforcement agencies, and strategies for preventing drug abuse, according to the ministry of home affairs.

“We need to have a top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top approach sparing none involved in drug trafficking. When we catch a big fry, we need to investigate the entire chain of networks down below. When we catch a drug addict, we need to investigate those who supplied them,” Shah added.

The Union home minister also oversaw the destruction of 9,298 kg of seized drugs valued at ₹1,235 crore. The destruction of drugs is part of the central government’s ‘zero tolerance to drugs’ initiative, the ministry said.

A target to destroy 75,000 kg of drugs was set during a 75-day campaign beginning June 1, 2022. However, 594,620 kgs of drugs valued at ₹8,409 crore have been destroyed so far, overachieving the target, according to the ministry of home affairs.

Out of the total drugs destroyed, 129,363 kgs of seized drugs valued at ₹3,138 crore have been destroyed by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) alone, while the rest of the narcotics were seized by other agencies and state police forces.

The Centre has emphasised a three-pronged formula of strengthening institutional structures, empowerment and coordination of all narcotics agencies, and a comprehensive awareness campaign to crack down on narcotics, the ministry said.

The home ministry further said it intends to use the latest technologies like drones, artificial intelligence and satellite mapping to prevent drug production in the country.

“Using the latest technology in the fight against drugs should be the way forward, and the use of drones, artificial intelligence and satellite mapping for identification and control of areas cultivating opium should be looked into diligently. The cases of drugs should be investigated thoroughly from its source to destination to crack down on its entire network,” it added.

(With agency inputs)