12 September 2024, NIICE Commentary 9577
Maansi N.A &Dr. Karamala Areesh Kumar
Narco-terrorism is the amalgamation of two phenomena, narcotics and terrorism. The definition of the term could be understood as the use of terrorist tactics to traffic drugs. However, borrowing the definition from Emma Björnehed’s paper, Narco-Terrorism: The Merger of the War on Drugs and the War on Terror, it can be defined as a link between the narcotics trade and terrorist organizations. Drug trafficking is used as a means to fund terrorist activity in different regions. It takes place either with the help of drug cartels or terrorist groups, who are responsible for the production and distribution of these drugs. Terrorist financing originates from a variety of sources, both legal and illegal, making it difficult to counteract. In the context of the narco-trade, involvement in drug trafficking offers terrorist organizations significant financial resources. These organizations and drug trafficking syndicates often collaborate, utilizing each other’s networks to enhance their operations. Drug trafficking is considered a reliable and rapid method of generating cash for purchasing arms and other logistical needs. By nature, drug trafficking operates across national borders, supported by intricate criminal networks and terrorist activities.
In the context of cross-border trafficking operations, two notable zones in Asia that produce the most drugs are the Golden Triangle and the Golden Crescent. The Golden Triangle consists of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, which mainly produce opium, heroin, and recently, methamphetamine. Meanwhile, the Golden Crescent is formed by Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. Afghanistan is the major producer of opium and its derivative, heroin. Narco-terrorism in Afghanistan has direct links with terrorism in South Asia. Profits from the narcotics trade are often used to fund extremist groups operating in the region, some of which have carried out attacks in India. For instance, groups like the Taliban, which have historically controlled significant parts of Afghanistan’s opium production, have ties with Pakistan-based militant organizations that target India. The instability in Afghanistan, fueled by narco-terrorism, has broader security implications for the region. The power vacuum created by the Taliban’s resurgence has had implications for India’s security interests, particularly concerning the spread of extremist ideologies and cross-border terrorism.
The Pre-Taliban Era (Before August 2021)
Afghanistan’s role as a major source of narcotics had been a long-standing issue for India even before the Taliban’s return to power. The country was responsible for a staggering 86% of the world’s illicit opium production in 2021, indicating the scale of the problem India was facing. This massive production directly contributed to the flow of drugs into India, primarily through the “Golden Crescent” route, which includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran. The drug trade during this period was intricately linked to terrorist activities targeting India. Drug money was consistently used to finance various terrorist operations, posing a significant threat to India’s national security. This connection between narcotics and terrorism was particularly evident in regions like Kashmir and Punjab, where separatist and extremist groups exploited the drug trade to fund their activities. To combat this threat, India had to maintain strict border security measures, especially along its borders with Pakistan and Myanmar. These efforts were crucial in intercepting drug shipments and disrupting narco-terrorist networks. However, the porous nature of some border areas and the sophisticated smuggling techniques employed by traffickers made this a challenging task. The pre-Taliban era also saw a significant impact on Indian states bordering Pakistan, particularly Punjab. The state witnessed an alarming rise in drug addiction, especially among its youth population. This social crisis not only affected public health but also had far-reaching economic and security implications for the region. During this period, Indian law enforcement agencies reported an increase in drug seizures, indicating both the growing scale of the problem and improved interdiction efforts. For instance, in 2019, a large consignment of heroin worth ₹2,700 crore was intercepted at the Attari border in Punjab, highlighting the magnitude of the drug trafficking operations. This era was also marked by the discovery of underground tunnels along the India-Pakistan border, believed to be used for smuggling drugs and weapons. These tunnels were often linked to narco-terrorism networks operating from Afghanistan, demonstrating the sophisticated infrastructure developed by these criminal organizations. Afghanistan’s dominant role in global opium production, the use of drug money to finance terrorism, increased border security challenges for India, a rising drug addiction crisis in border states, and the development of complex smuggling networks collectively posed a significant threat to India’s national security, public health, and social stability, setting the stage for the challenges that would continue into the post-Taliban period.
Implications for South Asia
In April 2022, the Taliban banned poppy cultivation. This initially led to expectations of reduced drug trafficking. However, the ban’s effectiveness and long-term impact remain uncertain. The opium ban resulted in a loss of roughly $1 billion per year in income for Afghan rural households. This economic shock could potentially increase instability in the region, indirectly affecting Nepal and India. With the loss of income from opium, there are concerns that other forms of criminal activities, including drug trafficking of synthetic opioids, might increase to compensate for the lost revenue. Under Taliban rule, there are renewed concerns that Afghanistan could become a haven for terrorist organizations. The UN reported that the Taliban “remains close” with al-Qaeda, which could pose increased security risks for India and Nepal. The Taliban’s return has emboldened groups like Tehrik-e-Taliban (Pakistani Taliban), leading to increased violence along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. This instability could potentially spill over and affect South Asia’s security interests. The economic impact of the opium ban, combined with falling aid and the Taliban’s actions against women, is likely to exacerbate poverty and increase outmigration. This could potentially lead to increased refugee flows toward South Asia, including Nepal.
Maansi N.A is currently pursuing Business Management in Defence Production at the National Academy of Defence Production, Nagpur, India. Karamala Areesh Kumar is the Head, Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy, St Joseph’s University, Bengaluru, India.
