21 to 47: Cocaine smuggling via air passenger routes rises sharply across India

New Delhi: A sharp increase in cocaine smuggling via air passenger routes has been observed, with cases rising from 21 in 2022-23 to 47 in 2023-24, according to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) report for 2023-24.

Airports have emerged as key hubs for this illegal activity. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) reported 109 cases involving the seizure of 8,223.61 kg of narcotics and psychotropic substances worth ₹2,241.76 crore in the illicit market. This included 107.31 kg of cocaine, 48.74 kg of heroin, 136 kg of methamphetamine, 236 kg of mephedrone, and 7,348.68 kg of ganja.

Cocaine: A Growing Concern:

Cocaine tops the list of narcotics in terms of both cases and illicit market value among seizures, ranking second only to ganja by weight. Notably, no heroin or cocaine was intercepted via maritime routes in 2023-24, with air travel emerging as the predominant trafficking method.

Cocaine smuggling has increased significantly, often involving direct routes from South America or transits through Africa. Foreign nationals dominate as offenders, with body concealment being the most common trafficking method, making detection challenging. However, DRI's targeted passenger profiling has yielded significant success.

Cocaine seizures rose from 15 kg across six cases in 2021 to 102 kg across 65 seizures in 2023.

Indian Nationals as Mules:

A growing number of Indian nationals are being duped into acting as mules, often under the guise of lottery scams or job offers. Notable cases include:

1. The seizure of 4.01 kg of cocaine from an Indian passenger arriving from Sierra Leone at Mumbai Airport in December 2023.

2. 4.5 kg of cocaine was seized from two Indian nationals in October 2023.

Courier Services and Cryptocurrency:

Courier services have emerged as the second-most popular method for cocaine trafficking, with shipments arriving from South America being intercepted by enforcement agencies. Additionally, drug payments through cryptocurrencies are increasing, reflecting the evolving financial landscape of the narcotics trade.

One notable case in September 2023 saw the DRI seize four types of cryptocurrencies in Delhi following a cocaine seizure at the airport.

Lottery Scams and International Drug Trafficking:

Lottery scams often lure victims, especially financially vulnerable individuals, into unwittingly acting as drug mules. These schemes typically begin with an unsolicited email or message, promising a substantial lottery or prize win.

The scammers build credibility through persistent communication and sometimes false documentation to convince the victim of the legitimacy of the opportunity. Victims, often elderly or in financial distress, are lured with promises of life-changing sums of money.

The catch usually involves traveling to a foreign country ostensibly to complete the necessary formalities to claim their winnings. The expenses for such trips are often covered by the scammers, making the offer more enticing and seemingly risk-free. Upon arrival, the victims are further manipulated through a series of orchestrated meetings, paperwork signings, and sometimes small cash handouts to handle minor expenses, which solidify the illusion of a genuine process.

However, the real intent is to use these individuals as unwitting mules to transport illegal substances or contraband back to their home country. The return journey is where the scam culminates. Victims are handed luggage containing illegal items, like drugs, to deliver to an associate of the scammers, often without the victim’s knowledge of the contents. If caught upon reaching their destination, these individuals face legal consequences, while the orchestrators of the scam remain largely untraceable and ready to exploit the next victim.

Decline in Heroin Smuggling:

The NCB report highlights a significant decline in heroin trafficking, with seizures dropping from 291 kg across 64 cases in 2022 to 65 kg across 14 cases in 2023. This aligns with the near-eradication of opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan following the Taliban's rise to power in 2021.

Sheelavathi, grown in the Andhra-Orissa border much traded:

India has a long history of cannabis cultivation and use, with the plant growing naturally in many parts of the country.

Cannabis cultivation and use are illegal in India under the NDPS Act, 1985, except for medical and scientific purposes. This has led to a thriving black market for cannabis and its derivatives.

India is home to several renowned cannabis varieties. Among these, Idukki Gold, Mysore Gold, Malana Cream, and Sheelavathi stand out as major varieties, each named after their respective regions of cultivation.

Sheelavathi, which is grown on the Andhra-Orissa border, is the most frequently traded illegally, and the majority of seizures done by enforcement agencies involve this particular variety. Cases involving cannabis varieties grown in the northeastern region of India have been booked by enforcement agencies, particularly DRI.

1. 416.13 kg in Tripura's West district in February 2024.

2..450 kg in Sepahijala District, Tripura, in March 2024.

3. Over 1,070 kg were seized near Muzaffarpur, Bihar, in January 2024.

Synthetic Drugs and Evolving Threats:

Yaba (Methamphetamine and Caffeine): Originating in Myanmar, this drug continues to spread across Southeast Asia, earning the nickname "crazy medicine" for its potent effects.

Originally developed for military use during World War II to enhance stamina and alertness among soldiers, Yaba has evolved into a recreational drug infamous for its severe addiction potential and devastating health effects. In recent years, law enforcement agencies have observed a troubling increase in its circulation, leading to significant seizures across the region.

Mephedrone ("Meow Meow"):

The spread of mephedrone, a synthetic drug known for effects similar to amphetamines and cocaine, is alarming authorities across Europe, North America, and Australia. Often sold under names like “drone,” “meow meow,” and “M-cat,” and marketed as a white or off-white powder, mephedrone’s allure comes from its promise of heightened euphoria and alertness.

NCB cites the designer drug as having been abused in a growing number of countries and regions. With effects similar to cocaine, amphetamine, and MDMA, the substance has resulted in several deaths.

The Dark Trade: Unveiling the Secrets of Black Cocaine:

In the mid-1980s, it was reported that Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet ordered his army to construct a clandestine cocaine laboratory in Chile. Chemists there mixed cocaine with other chemicals to create what Pinochet’s former top intelligence aide, Manuel Contreras, described as “black cocaine.”

This innovative form of the drug could be smuggled past drug agents in the US and Europe due to its ability to evade standard detection methods, representing a sophisticated evolution in narcotics trafficking. By chemically masking the cocaine with substances like charcoal or iron oxide, traffickers create a black powder undetectable by standard drug-sniffing methods.

This variant is disguised as industrial products such as printer toner or metal ores and requires a complex extraction process to revert to pure cocaine.

Emerging Drugs: Kush and Pink Cocaine

Kush (Sierra Leone): A dangerous blend of cannabis, tramadol, fentanyl, and formaldehyde.

Pink Cocaine ("Tusi"): An unpredictable drug cocktail comprising ketamine, MDMA, and opioids, with inconsistent composition leading to fatal overdoses.

Not to be confused with the drug of the same name found in the United States, “kush” in Sierra Leone is a sinister concoction that has taken the West African nation by storm. Unlike traditional cannabis, this version of kush is an intoxicating mixture of cannabis, fentanyl, tramadol, formaldehyde, and – according to some rumors – ground-down human bones.

While there is no definitive evidence of human bones being ground into the drug, many believe that adding bones increases its intoxicating effects, with some speculating that the sulfur content in the bones contributes to the high. Regardless of its exact ingredients, kush’s potency and the severe consequences of its use are undeniable.

This situation highlights the ever-evolving dynamics of the narcotics black market and the urgent need for policy and enforcement apparatus to adapt swiftly to curb such menaces.

Pink cocaine, also known as “tusi”, is an illicit drug mixture that has gained popularity in Latin America, parts of Europe, and the United States.

Despite its name, it typically does not contain cocaine. Instead, it is a powder tinted with food coloring and often comprises ketamine as the main ingredient, along with varying amounts of MDMA, methamphetamine, and opioids.

The threat posed by pink cocaine also stems from the uncertainty surrounding its contents. Users risk adverse health effects, unexpected reactions, or even overdosing, as the potency and composition are often inconsistent. Numerous fatalities have been reported from pink cocaine use, including among high-profile celebrities, underscoring the dangerous and unpredictable nature of this drug cocktail.

Concealing methods, a big challenge for DRI:

The increasing sophistication in concealment methods—such as hiding drugs in shampoo bottles, liquor containers, and hair wigs—poses significant challenges for law enforcement. The evolving narcotics market demands continual adaptation of policies and enforcement measures to curb these threats.