Security Agencies Increase Surveillance On Drug Trafficking From Golden Crescent
India increases surveillance on drug smuggling from Golden Crescent routes.
Indian security agencies are intensifying a multi-agency crackdown on narcotics smuggling networks operating through the Golden Crescent region, amid reports of increased drug flow linked to Pakistan-based operatives, according to official inputs shared on Thursday.
Officials tracking transnational narcotics routes said trafficking activity originating from the Golden Crescent—covering Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran—has risen significantly in recent months. Security estimates suggest that nearly 65 per cent of the narcotics entering India are routed through this corridor, while the remaining supply is linked to the Golden Triangle region comprising Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.
Authorities noted that drugs entering from the western route are increasingly being pushed into southern India, particularly Kerala and Tamil Nadu, after initial movement through western states such as Gujarat and Maharashtra. Officials said this distribution strategy is designed to expand domestic consumption networks before further smuggling operations extend to international destinations including Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
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In contrast, narcotics trafficking in India’s northeastern region is primarily associated with networks operating from the Golden Triangle. Officials also highlighted that cartels are dealing in substances such as charas and methamphetamine, and are adapting by using multiple transport modes, including high-speed boats, fishing vessels, and commercial shipping containers to move larger consignments.
In response to intelligence inputs indicating a surge in trafficking activity, a high-level coordination meeting was held involving the Narcotics Control Bureau, the National Technical Research Organisation, and the Indian Navy. The agencies have agreed to strengthen maritime surveillance and improve detection mechanisms across coastal routes and container shipping channels.
Government officials further stated that India is also working with international enforcement agencies to counter the drug trade, while maintaining a leading operational role due to its geographic proximity to key trafficking corridors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated the goal of making India drug-free, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed departments to prepare a roadmap up to 2029 with a structured review mechanism. Despite these concerns, officials noted that drug trafficking activity has shown a decline over the past three months due to heightened vigilance, though cartels continue to remain interconnected and adaptive.
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