Role of the Internet in Drug Trafficking

The emergence of the internet has not only revolutionized the way we communicate and access information but has also significantly impacted illicit activities, notably drug trafficking. With its anonymity, vast reach, and encrypted communication channels, the internet has become a fertile ground for drug traffickers to conduct their operations with relative ease and minimal risk of detection. From underground marketplaces on the dark web to encrypted messaging platforms, the online realm provides a veil of secrecy for the exchange of illicit drugs, enabling transactions to occur across borders without the traditional barriers of physical presence or jurisdictional limitations. As law enforcement agencies grapple with the challenges posed by this digital underworld, understanding the multifaceted role of the internet in facilitating drug trafficking is essential in devising effective strategies to combat this evolving threat to public health and safety.

Tags: GS Paper – 3, – Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism- Health

For Prelims: Role of the Internet in Drug Trafficking, International Narcotics Control Board, Drug Trafficking.

For Mains: Role of the Internet in Drug Trafficking, Initiatives taken to tackle Drug Menace.

Table of Contents

Context:

In its 2023 Annual Report, the International Narcotics Control Board emphasised that online drug trafficking has surged, leading to increased availability of illicit drugs on the market.

Drug trafficking

Drug trafficking encompasses the illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of prohibited substances.
It includes various activities associated with the illegal drug trade, such as the production of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and synthetic drugs, as well as the transportation and distribution of these substances.
This illicit trade operates within a sophisticated network of criminal organisations that extend across borders, regions, and continents.

The Key Highlights of the Annual Report by the International Narcotics Control Board:

In Afghanistan, there has been a significant decline in illicit opium poppy cultivation and heroin production.
The opioid crisis in North America persists, with a concerning rise in deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, surpassing 70,000 in 2021.
Drug trafficking organisations are expanding their operations in the Amazon Basin, branching into illegal mining, logging, and wildlife trafficking.
Record levels of illicit coca bush cultivation have been reported in Colombia and Peru, with increases of 13% and 18%, respectively.
Seizures of cocaine in West and Central Africa reached a record high in 2021, highlighting the region’s role as a significant transit point for cocaine.
South Asia is increasingly targeted for the trafficking of methamphetamine, illicitly manufactured in Afghanistan and destined for Europe and Oceania.
Pacific island States, once solely transit points, are now emerging as destination markets for synthetic drugs, posing substantial challenges to communities and public health systems.

Challenges in Online Drug Trafficking:

The landscape of online drug trafficking is evolving, posing fresh challenges to drug control efforts.
The proliferation of illicit drugs on the Internet, coupled with the exploitation of online platforms by criminal groups, presents significant hurdles.
The presence of synthetic opioids like fentanyl online escalates the risk of overdose deaths.

Exploitation of Online Platforms:

Criminals exploit legitimate e-commerce platforms, social media, and other online avenues for drug trafficking purposes.
To evade detection, encryption methods, anonymous browsing on the darknet, and cryptocurrencies are utilised, complicating efforts to prosecute online trafficking crimes.
French law enforcement authorities seized over 120 million text messages from 60,000 mobile phones, highlighting the scale of online drug-related activities.

Concerns about Patient Safety:

Patient safety is compromised by illicit Internet pharmacies that sell drugs directly to consumers without prescriptions.
Consumers lack the means to verify the authenticity or legality of these drugs, raising concerns about their safety and legality.
The global illicit pharmaceutical trade is estimated to be valued at 4.4 billion USD, underscoring its significant economic impact.

Recommendations:

Despite challenges, leveraging online platforms presents opportunities for drug use prevention, awareness campaigns, and enhancing access to drug treatment services.
Governments can utilise social media platforms to execute drug use prevention campaigns, particularly targeting young individuals to deter substance misuse.
Telemedicine and Internet pharmacies offer avenues to enhance healthcare access, particularly for patients with drug use disorders, facilitating the delivery of drug treatment services to a broader population.
Online platforms can serve as channels for disseminating information about the adverse effects of drug use and issuing warnings about adulterated drugs, potentially saving lives.
To thwart illicit drug manufacturers, certain precursors of amphetamine-type stimulants and fentanyl should be subjected to international control, preventing substitution with closely related substitutes.
Given the global reach of online platforms, collaborative efforts involving governments, international organisations, regulatory authorities, and the private sector are imperative to identify emerging threats and devise effective responses.
The INCB advocates for voluntary cooperation to combat the exploitation of legitimate e-commerce platforms for drug trafficking, emphasising the need for concerted action to address this issue.

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB):

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) serves as an independent and quasi-judicial monitoring body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the United Nations international drug control conventions.
Established in 1968 in accordance with the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, its headquarters are situated in Vienna, Austria.
India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) collaborates with the INCB.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB):

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was established by the Government of India in 1986 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
It operates as the apex coordinating agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
India’s National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances is founded on Article 47 of the Indian Constitution, which directs the State to strive for the prohibition of drug consumption, except for medicinal purposes, to safeguard public health.

The Initiatives Taken by India to Curb the Drug Menace:

Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985:
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985 prohibits individuals from engaging in activities involving narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances, including production, possession, sale, purchase, transportation, storage, and consumption.
Under a provision of the NDPS Act, 1985, the National Fund for Control of Drug Abuse was established to cover expenses related to the Act’s implementation.
National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction:
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment formulated a National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction spanning 2018-2025.
This plan emphasises preventive education, awareness campaigns, identification, counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation of drug-dependent individuals.
It also prioritises training and capacity building of service providers through collaborative efforts between the government and Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs).
The Nasha Mukt Bharat Campaign (NMBA): The Nasha Mukt Bharat Campaign (NMBA), launched in 2020, aims to combat substance abuse and achieve a drug-free India. This initiative comprises three key components:
Supply reduction through the efforts of the Narcotics Control Bureau
Outreach, awareness, and demand reduction activities led by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Treatment provided by the Health Department.
International Treaties and Conventions to Combat Drug Menace: India is a signatory of the following international treaties and conventions:
United Nations (UN) Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961)
UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988)
UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971)
UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) 2000

Conclusion:

Hence, addressing drug trafficking demands comprehensive strategies encompassing law enforcement, international cooperation, border control, and robust demand reduction. By addressing both supply and demand sides, governments and communities collaborate to mitigate its harmful effects and ensure public health and safety.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims

Q:1 Consider the following statements:

The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) has a ‘Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air’.
The UNCAC is the ever-first legally binding global anti-corruption instrument.
A highlight of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is the inclusion of a specific chapter aimed at returning assets to their rightful owners from whom they had been taken illicitly.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is mandated by its member States to assist in the implementation of both UNCAC and UNTOC.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (c)

Mains

Q:1 In one of the districts of a frontier state, narcotics menace has been rampant. This has resulted in money laundering, mushrooming of poppy farming, arms smuggling and near stalling of education. The system is on the verge of collapse. The situation has been further worsened by unconfirmed reports that local politicians as well assume senior police officers are providing surreptitious patronage to the drug mafia. At that point of time a woman police officer, known for her skills in handling such situations is appointed as Superintendent of Police to bring the situation to normalcy. If you are the same police officer, identify the various dimensions of the crisis. Based on your understanding, suggest measures to deal with the crisis. (2019)

Source: (INCB)

FAQs

Q: How does the internet facilitate drug trafficking?

The internet provides a platform for anonymous communication and transactions, enabling drug traffickers to connect with buyers and suppliers worldwide without revealing their identities. Dark web marketplaces offer a cloak of anonymity where illicit drugs can be bought and sold using cryptocurrencies, making it difficult for law enforcement to track transactions.

Q: What are the challenges faced by authorities in combating online drug trafficking?

Law enforcement agencies encounter numerous challenges in combating online drug trafficking, including the use of encryption and anonymity tools, the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies, and the constantly evolving tactics employed by traffickers to avoid detection. Jurisdictional issues also arise when criminal activities cross international borders, complicating investigations and prosecutions.

Q: How do traffickers use the internet to conceal their activities?

Traffickers employ various techniques to conceal their activities online, such as using encrypted messaging apps, anonymizing software like Tor, and operating on dark web marketplaces that require special access. They may also use code words and hidden forums to communicate with buyers and sellers, making it difficult for authorities to intercept communications and gather evidence.

Q: What role do cryptocurrencies play in online drug trafficking?

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin provide a decentralized and pseudonymous means of conducting financial transactions, making them popular among online drug traffickers. By using cryptocurrencies, traffickers can avoid traditional banking channels and obscure the flow of funds, making it challenging for law enforcement to trace and seize assets.

Q: What measures can be taken to combat online drug trafficking?

Combating online drug trafficking requires a multi-pronged approach involving collaboration between law enforcement agencies, international cooperation to address jurisdictional issues, enhanced monitoring of online marketplaces, and the development of advanced technological tools to track and disrupt illicit activities. Public awareness campaigns can also educate individuals about the risks of purchasing drugs online and discourage participation in illegal activities.

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Role of the Internet in Drug Trafficking – UPSC