The BIMSTEC ‘Conference on Combating Drug Trafficking’ concluded in New Delhi on February 14, 2020. Over two days of extensive deliberations, it provided an important platform for the Partner Nations to share ideas and exchange best practices required to combat the drug menace in the region.
Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle
The geographical proximity to both Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle, major opium production regions of the world, puts all the BIMSTEC Partner Nations in a very precarious position.
India’s position is more vulnerable as we are sandwiched between Golden crescent and Golden Triangle.
The bumper harvests of opium in Afghanistan for the last few years have given rise to increased supply of Heroin in all the BIMSTEC Nations. Another major concern for worry is the large number of Methamphetamine manufacturing facilities that are prevalent in some of the BIMSTEC countries. These facilities manufacture a large quantity of Methamphetamine which is further trafficked to all the BIMSTEC countries.
Drug trafficking through sea route
Another area of concern is drug trafficking through sea route that affects BIMSTEC Nations.
While the Bay of Bengal facilitates trade worth billions of dollars, the drug traffickers also use this vast network to their advantage.
Two recent seizures of 371 kg and 1156 kg Methamphetamine by Indian authorities from two vessels in the Bay of Bengal are two glaring examples of this facet. Further, the BIMSTEC region is one of the most thriving centres of pharmaceutical manufacture and trade.
The first day of the conference i.e. 13.02.2020 witnessed two thematic sessions. The first session was on Maritime Trafficking of drugs in the Region-Sharing of experiences by the BIMSTEC countries
