The 4th Session of the BRICS Anti-Drug Working Group recently took place via video conference. The session for this year was chaired by Russia.
Issues Raised by India
In the meeting, India brought up the misuse of darknet and modern technology by international criminals for drug trafficking. It also emphasized the need for nodal points to allow real-time information sharing among BRICS nations.
Trends of Drug Trafficking
The BRICS group focused on international and regional trends in illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, among other topics. They also discussed approaches to curtail the rise of drug trafficking through maritime routes.
A Global Menace
A report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), released in May 2020, suggested that Covid-19 induced lockdowns and movement restrictions could result in a statistical decrease in drug seizures. However, this is unlikely to impact the illicit drug supply significantly.
India and Illicit Drug Trade
The UNODC indicates that India is a major hub for illicit drug trade, dealing with substances ranging from cannabis to prescription drugs such as tramadol, and designer drugs like methamphetamine.
Drug Trafficking Routes
India’s geographical location places it between two prominent illicit opium production regions globally – the Golden Crescent (Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan) in the west and the Golden Triangle (Southeast Asia) in the east.
India’s Anti-Drug Action Plan
To address this issue, India has introduced the Anti-Drug Action Plan for 2020-21. This plan includes initiatives like de-addiction facilities, drop-in centres for addicts, integrated rehabilitation centres for addicts (IRCAs), and a Drug-Free India campaign.
Understanding the Darknet
The term ‘darknet’ refers to a hidden internet platform notorious for illegal activities, such as narcotics sale and exchange of pornographic content. It employs the secret routes of the onion router (ToR – a software that allows anonymous communication) to evade law enforcement surveillance. While it forms part of the deep web, not all activities on the deep web are illegal.
About BRICS
BRICS is an acronym representing the world’s leading emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The term BRIC was first coined in 2001 by British Economist Jim O’Neill to describe these four emerging economies. In 2010, South Africa was invited to join the group, leading to the adoption of the acronym BRICS.
The Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent
The Golden Triangle covers rural mountainous regions of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, and is Southeast Asia’s primary opium-producing region. On the other hand, the Golden Crescent comprises Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, and is a significant global site for opium production and distribution.
