New Delhi, March 7 – The route from Nepal to Sri Lanka via India, used for smuggling drugs, has come under the scrutiny of law enforcement agencies. This route, which had been relatively quiet, has once again become active and is being used to smuggle hashish oil and charas.
A multi-state operation launched by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) units in Chennai and Hyderabad resulted in the seizure of approximately Rs 10 crore worth of hashish oil and charas.
This operation was part of the Modi government's initiative, "Nasha Mukt Bharat" (Drug-Free India).
An official stated that there is a high demand for charas in Sri Lanka, in addition to hashish. Sri Lanka has been raising concerns about the increasing number of drug abuse cases in the country.
Due to the high demand, these drug cartels have increased the supply of drugs into the country.
Furthermore, Sri Lanka's location in the Indian Ocean has made it a strategic transit point for smuggling drugs. An official stated that drugs are not only being brought from Nepal to Sri Lanka, but also from Afghanistan's Golden Crescent via Pakistan and Iran.
The official added that these smugglers have made South India a transit point for these drugs. All the drugs that are smuggled either reach Thoothukudi or Koddikarai.
There is a dedicated network of people who meet their Sri Lankan counterparts midway, where the consignment is transferred.
An official stated that these landing points are not new and have been in operation for a long time. Previously, drugs such as opium would land in these ports, and smugglers from Sri Lanka would collect them in exchange for beedis.
Officials at the NCB have identified Trincomalee, Galle, and Colombo as the entry and exit points.
Officials say that the trade value has increased significantly. There was a time when two cases would be busted in a span of two to three months. Today, the volume is so high that in 2024 alone, Sri Lanka reported 35,000 drug busts.
Another official stated that the drugs being smuggled into Sri Lanka are not limited to marijuana, hashish, or charas. Since 2019, Sri Lanka has seen a massive demand for methamphetamine.
Once the drugs reach Sri Lanka, the smugglers collaborate with some locals, including criminals, fishermen, and organized groups.
These individuals pack the narcotics before distributing them to other parts of the country. Intelligence Bureau officials say that the Nepal to Sri Lanka route is being used extensively in recent months.
This is due to the high security along the borders with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
The route is not new and has been used for a long time. However, the concern is that this route is being used more extensively today.
Indian agencies are closely coordinating with their counterparts in Nepal and Sri Lanka to curb the menace of narcotics smuggling.
The Indian Coast Guard is also playing a key role in intercepting fishing trawlers that set out from South India once the drugs arrive.
Another official stated that the racket from Nepal is being controlled by a Sri Lankan national. He coordinates with operatives in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nepal, and then arranges for the drugs to be brought into South India.
He has also managed to set up a network in Tamil Nadu to ensure that the drugs are seamlessly moved into Sri Lankan waters.
This is an ongoing operation, and the agencies are identifying all possible loopholes that these smugglers are using to further their trade, the official also said.
