India's Rising Role as a Center for Methamphetamine and Cocaine Trafficking
Recent drug seizures in India highlight a concerning trend in the country's involvement in drug smuggling and consumption, particularly among its youth. In one of the largest drug busts in New Delhi, authorities confiscated over 560 kilograms of cocaine and around 40 kilograms of hydroponic marijuana, valued at approximately $669 million. This operation led to numerous arrests linked to an international drug trafficking network.
Just days later, police discovered an additional 208 kilograms of cocaine concealed in food packages at a rented shop. Another significant seizure occurred in Gujarat, where law enforcement intercepted 518 kilograms of cocaine from a pharmaceutical facility, estimating its value at about $595 million. These incidents underscore a worrying trend: while India has historically been a transit point for drug smuggling, it is increasingly becoming both a supplier and consumer of illicit narcotics.
According to Romesh Bhattacharjee, a former narcotics commissioner, the methods employed by traffickers have evolved, with more routes and sophisticated techniques emerging. Estimates suggest that for every kilogram of drugs confiscated, as much as ten kilograms may remain undetected. In 2024 alone, the total value of drugs seized was reported to be around $1.07 billion, though experts warn this figure could merely reflect a fraction of the overall drug influx into the country.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has noted a marked increase in cocaine trafficking via air routes, where smugglers often hide drugs in luggage or courier packages, or even use human carriers. Notably, there has been a rise in methamphetamine smuggling, particularly in northeastern states such as Assam and Mizoram. A troubling new trend is the emergence of 'black cocaine,' a form of the drug that is chemically disguised with substances like charcoal, making it harder for detection methods to identify.
Experts point to shifting lifestyle habits among younger generations as a driving factor behind the increasing demand for cocaine. With greater purchasing power, more individuals from Generation Z are turning to this expensive drug, often in conjunction with methamphetamine use. According to a 2018 report from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, there were approximately 23 million opioid users in India, an alarming 600% increase since 2004. This number has likely surged further in recent years as authorities grapple with escalating drug abuse.
Punjab, in particular, has seen a dramatic rise in drug-related issues, with a report indicating that over 6.6 million individuals in the state are drug users. Alarmingly, the report found nearly 697,000 children aged 10-17 involved in substance abuse, including opioid, cocaine, and other drugs.
Internationally, India is viewed as a significant hub for the distribution of precursor chemicals used in methamphetamine production, often destined for markets in neighboring countries like Myanmar and further afield in Central America and Africa. Recent operations have revealed clandestine meth labs linked to international drug cartels, including one involving a Mexican group in Greater Noida, where authorities seized 95 kilograms of methamphetamine.
In response to the growing drug crisis, the Indian government has implemented the Narco Coordination (NCORD) mechanism to improve inter-agency collaboration in combating drug trafficking at both the central and state levels. This initiative aims to address the complex challenges posed by the evolving landscape of drug smuggling and consumption.
