Narcotics Smuggling Archives - Lokmarg

Mumbai Narco Unit Busts Inter-State Drug Cartel; Five Held

By LokMarg 14th December 2022

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai has busted an inter-state drug trafficking syndicate supplying drugs in Dharavi, Mumbai. Five persons have also been arrested in a well-coordinated operation conducted over four days, as informed by the NCB.

A total of illicitly diverted 1407 CBCS bottles (140 kgs) and 6000 Nitrazepam tablets (3.6 kgs) were seized from Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai in multiple on-field operations, confirmed by the NCB.

NCB had information from internal sources that a Mumbai-based syndicate was actively involved in the inter-state trafficking of illicitly diverted pharmaceutical drugs.

According to NCB during the investigation, a couple Z.Qureshi and S.Z.Qureshi was identified as based in Kopar khairane, Navi Mumbai who was allegedly dealing in the procurement and supply of drugs. Later it was found, that they used to store drugs on the premise of Kopar khairane. Moreover, they were distributing the drugs mainly in Dharavi, Mumbai.

Based on the specific output, 920 CBCS bottles were seized from their possession.

The couple arrested by NCB revealed that they used to procure the drugs from a person named R. Singh during the interrogation.

According to NCB, a trap was laid to apprehend Singh at Sion. Soon, Singh was apprehended and confessed his involvement as a carrier in operation and street-level peddling. He was also managing the logistical support to other persons for the movement and distribution of the drugs.

After interrogating the said three persons, more drug-deal information was intercepted. Another distributor from Mira Road was obtained. On the basis of that, discreet surveillance was mounted in Mira Road, Thane area.

Subsequent intelligence confirmed that a person named D. Kaushal was arriving with a consignment for handover. As soon as the suspect arrived on Mira road, Thane, he was immediately intercepted and 6000 Nitrazepam tablets and 7 CBCS bottles were recovered. During further investigation, a person named Pandey based in the Kandivali area of Mumbai was identified. He was involved in procurement and further illicit drug supply in Mumbai.

Tactful management and specific intelligence confirmed that he was to deliver a CBCS consignment on December 12. Immediately, another follow-up field operation was launched.

The team waited for Pandey to arrive for the said delivery. In a short while, Pandey confirmed his arrival and as the NCB team physically confirmed his presence with consignment, he was intercepted. During a search, 480 CBCS bottles were seized from him.

The investigation has indicated that the syndicate has linkages with inter-state suppliers and the drugs were being procured through Dharavi. Some of the suspects are already arrested by the police. (ANI)

Protecting A Terrorist Is Equivalent To Promoting Terror: Amit Shah

By LokMarg 18th November 2022

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said terrorism is the most serious threat to global peace and security, and that “protecting a terrorist is equivalent to promoting terrorism”.

Shah’s remarks came while chairing the first session of the third ‘No Money for Terror’ Ministerial Conference on the ‘Global Trends in Terrorist Financing and Terrorism’ theme.
In his opening address, the Union Home Minister said “Terrorism is, undoubtedly, the most serious threat to global peace and security, but, the financing of terrorism is more dangerous than terrorism itself because the ‘Means and Methods’ of terrorism are nurtured from such funding”.

“Furthermore, the financing of terrorism weakens the economy of countries of the world,” he said.

Shah said that India condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and we believe that no reason can justify an act, such as taking innocent lives.

While expressing his sympathy for the victims of terrorist attacks all over the world, the Home Minister said that we should never compromise with this evil.

Union Home Minister said that India has been a victim of terrorism for several decades, which is sponsored from across the border.

He said that Indian security forces and civilians have had to deal with incidents of extremely serious terrorist violence perpetrated in a sustained and coordinated manner.

Shah said that the international community has a collective approach that terrorism must be condemned in all its forms, but, the forms and manifestations of terrorism are continuously evolving due to technological revolution.

The Home Minister also said terrorists and terrorist groups understand the nuances of modern weapons and information technology, and the dynamics of the cyber and financial space very well, and use them.

He said that this transformation of terrorism from “Dynamite to Metaverse” and “AK-47 to Virtual Assets” is definitely a matter of concern for the countries of the world, and, we all have to work together to formulate a common strategy against it.

Shah added that we also recognize that the threat of terrorism cannot and should not be linked to any religion, nationality, or group.

The Home Minister listed the six pillars of India’s strategy against the financing of terrorism.

“First – Strengthening the Legislative and Technological Framework, second – Creation of a Comprehensive Monitoring Framework, third – Actionable intelligence sharing mechanism and strengthening of the investigation and police operations, fourth – Provision for confiscation of property, fifth – Prevent misuse of legal entities and new technologies and sixth – Establishing international cooperation and coordination,” he said.

Shah also highlighted the role of the amendment of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in India’s fight against terrorism and its financing.

“India has strengthened the fight against terrorism and its financing, with the amendment of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, strengthening the NIA, and giving a new direction to financial intelligence. It is the result of our continuous efforts that terrorist incidents in India have come down drastically. This has also resulted in a drastic reduction in the economic losses caused by terrorism,” he said.

“We have seen that some countries protect and shelter terrorists. Protecting a terrorist is equivalent to promoting terrorism,” said the Home Minister

“We should never ignore terrorists’ safe havens or their resources. We also have to expose the double-speak of such elements who sponsor and support them.”

In the last few years, the Prime Minister said “India under PM Modi’s leadership has succeeded in cracking down on terror financing”.

To achieve the goal of ‘No Money for Terror’, Shah said the global community must understand the “Mode – Medium – Method” of Terror Financing and adopt the principle of ‘One Mind, One Approach’ in cracking down on them.

“The Darknet is being used by terrorists to spread radical content and conceal their identities.

There is an increase in the use of virtual assets like cryptocurrency. We need to understand the patterns of these Darknet activities and find their solutions,” the Home Minister said.

“The emerging trends of the illegal trade of narcotics, and the challenge of narco-terror, have given a new dimension to terror financing. In view of this, there is a need for close cooperation among all nations.” (ANI)

India-Pakistan Border: A Myriad Mesh Of Ceremonies, Politics & Livelihoods

By Dr. Krishnendra Meena 10th April 2022

India’s borders are diverse, and fascinating is an understatement because of the sheer variety of situations and practices they unravel. An impromptu visit to one such border in Fazilka was arranged by one of the biggest farmers of Kinnow (a citrus fruit), Mr Sandeep Kumar Sheoran, who owns orchards in Abohar district of Indian Punjab. After conferring with the concerned officers of the Border Security Force (BSF), friends from a school reunion arrived at the Sadqi border post just in time for the flag lowering ceremony. On the Pakistani side, the border village is Suleimanqi.

Though smaller in scale and less attended, the ceremony is equally impressive as the one at the more popular and famous Attari-Wagah ceremony near Amritsar. The article, however, points towards certain unique aspects of bordering practices at Sadqi border post. Academics, internationally, have now concluded that each border is unique, and this border post is a testimony to the same. Specific stories of border meetings with the Pakistani counterparts and their inaction on agreements are the norm here as one expects at the border between two fierce geopolitical rivals.

One popular theme is that of the Pakistanis reneging on an agreement to destroy two similar watch towers built during the medieval period but were located on the either side of the border after the partition in 1947. Indians being naïve, meticulous and stickler to the established agreement destroyed the tower and Pakistanis did not. If this one is about the promise to destroy border infrastructure, another relates to construction of towers by both the sides.

In another instance, again disrespecting the established conventions and norms of the bordering practices in the area, a group of overzealous Pakistani soldiers built a watch tower overnight close to the International Border or Zero Line as it is called in the technical jargon of the security forces. When confronted by the Indian officers, they challenged the Border Security Force to build one and in response, it was constructed overnight without any government finances and approvals but with the help of the villagers. Several such narratives and anecdotes were shared by the BSF personnel.

ALSO READ: The Tale Of Two Punjabs

To the observer, however, the presence of an electrified fence on the Indian side and tall Saccharum bengalense grass (Sarkanda) on the Pakistani side is indicative of two related phenomena a) the difference in perception of threats from either side and b) the economic disparities that exist between the two neighbouring countries.

On the one hand, politics, economy and security conditions in Pakistan have always been uncertain since Independence. Political history of Pakistan has been rife with instance of military coups, interventions by the military in the governance of life and livelihoods and exile of politicians. Political conditions have been unstable in general. On the other hand, economic condition of the populace, however, has considerably improved in India since the onset of economic liberalization in the early 1990s. Pakistan, a champion of capitalism has not been able to uplift the masses. Pakistani economy has been dependent upon loans and aid from various international agencies (IMF and World Bank) and the economy is now referred to as severely debt-ridden and being dependent on China. Combined with Islamic extremism and the tendency of the Pakistani intelligence services to foment trouble on Indian territory, this cocktail has led to an unstable Pakistani state with numerous issues. For India, this means a heavily fortified western border.

Smuggling, especially of narcotic substances, has plagued the border in Punjab since decades. Flow of drugs from Afghanistan to Southeast Asia (the Golden Triangle) involves crossing into and passage from the territory of Indian Punjab. Impact of this transit is felt in Indian Punjab, as the youth has taken to consumption of drugs and has severe social ramifications and has featured in the elections to state assembly. Political parties have often made it an election issue.

The recent elections brought victory to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which in general rode on its support to the Farmers Movement against the agriculture laws and its reputation as a party which has provided civic amenities, health and education facilities in Delhi. One of the election promises of the AAP was to curtail the use of drugs among the youth and generate employment. The border fence and bordering practices by the BSF personnel play a major role in such promises to materialize.

Punjab is known for its agricultural production and its contribution to the Indian economy. Nonetheless, there are issues which relate to agricultural practices in border villages. As the fence is on the Indian side, a vast tract of cultivable land owned by villagers lies across the fence and along the International Border. Farmers must obtain a few permits from the local administration as well as the BSF and the Army to cross the fence through several gates to cultivate and irrigate their fields. Complications related to the timings for tilling, ploughing, irrigation, harvesting and a host of related activities are resented by the farmers. During military exercises, however, farmers must make way for military vehicles and often standing crops are lost. Furthermore, during military build-ups due to tense geopolitical situations between the neighbours e.g. Operation Parakram in 2001 and the standoff after Mumbai Attacks in 2008, border villages are vacated leading to temporary displacements.

A visit to the Indo-Pakistan border reminds and impresses upon all the problems which prominently play out in the subcontinent and have hindered the prospects of development of regional cooperation when other regions of the world are rapidly integrating.