Drug Trafficking– a phrase that has recently become the most discussed topic in Assam.
Why?
Because this crime has led to more than 500 arrests in just a short period of one month.
Recently Assam has seen numerous cases of Illegal smuggling and has apprehended
racketeers involved from nook and corner of the state. Drug Trafficking has been the most
common amongst these illegal trafficking in the state along with cattle and petroleum oil.
But before we get to the data about the Drug Rackets in Assam, it is very important to
understand what the whole thing is actually.
So, what is Drug Trafficking?
Well, Drug trafficking is a global illicit trade that involves the cultivation, manufacture,
distribution and sale of substances that are subject to drug prohibition laws. In short, drug
trafficking means the production, distribution and sale of illegal drugs.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a global organisation that
continuously monitors and researches global illicit drug markets. This is done to gain a more
comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of the discussed subject.
Drug trafficking has become one of the most serious problems for most countries all over
the world over time. Unfortunate but truth is that this type of illegal business is extremely
profitable. But it always comes up with the involvement of murders, kidnapping, prostitution and
various other crimes.
Most countries are working constantly to prevent the use and distribution of illegal drugs.
Undoubtedly, each of the countries in this world has different responsibilities and actions that
vary from one another.
If one country is using fines as a measure to tackle this issue of concern, another is using
several years of imprisonment or death punishments as an effective measure for drug trafficking
control.
Assam and "War on Drugs"
As per various researches and reports, Assam- a state of Northeast India has only
considered a transit route for drugs that came in illegally from the Indo-Myanmar border. But
now, the scenario has taken a completely different turn. Assam is now seeing rampant abuse that
is "destroying" many families in the state, destroying the lives of the young generation and
ruining their opportunities to build a better future.
Notably, more than 500 persons have been arrested in the past month for their alleged
involvement in drug trafficking. Not only that but illegal drugs worth over Rs 23 crore have been
seized in the state that includes heroin, cannabis, syrup and other psychotropic substances.
Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma recently said, "Many drug users are selling
properties for drugs. So we decided to launch a crackdown and asked police to adopt a zerotolerance
attitude."
This crackdown came in the form of a super active operation drive by the Assam Police
called the "War on Drugs."
Police officials who are leading this super active operation drive stated that those involved
in the busted drug rackets will be given the much deserving punishments. The drive will ensure
that this trafficking is rooted out deep from the state.
The state government has also decided to set up seven new forensic laboratories to assist
investigators in filing charge sheets with necessary evidence against the traffickers. Along with
that projects on facilities for rehabilitation of drug users are also under progress. Hopefully, these
continuous efforts and measures will result in the uprooting of this menace for our land.
We have seen how these smuggling have been going on in the state over years only after it
has been busted out by the continuous efforts of the state authorities. This only directs that strict
surveillance in every nook and corner of Assam has become the need of the hour. Because
"Drug Trafficking" is not just a crime, it's a way towards destruction.