India: UNODC drug law enforcement trainings enhance official capacities on investigations, prosecutions and legal frameworks

New Delhi, India/30 November 2022: South Asia—and India--face a multitude of drug related challenges that are exacerbated, in part, by its geographical location close to major illicit opiate producing and trafficking regions of the world, namely the Golden Triangle and the Golden Crescent. The COVID-19 pandemic and socio-political developments around the world have further aggravated the problem. Access to drugs has also become simpler than ever with online sales, and major drug trade on the dark web has now exceeded some US $315 million annually. In addition, coastal states in India are also vulnerable to maritime trafficking because of their exposure to trafficking routes across the Indian Ocean.

Addressing these emerging challenges requires a comprehensive understanding and urgent collective response from the governments, and particularly from the law enforcement, and health agencies.

In this context, two capacity-building workshops were organized in New Delhi for senior and operational-level officials of law enforcement agencies from Northeast India, the Railway Protection Force and the Indian Coast Guard. Modules were focused on legal frameworks, investigations and prosecutions, search and seizures, synthetic drugs and forensic testing, among others. The workshops aimed at strengthening inter-agency coordination, knowledge sharing and capacities to counter drug trafficking.

UNODC Regional Representative for South Asia Mr. Marco Teixeira highlighted UNODC's initiatives and good practices, and the key role played by law enforcement officials, the Railway Protection Force and the Indian Coast Guard in tackling illicit drugs.

“COVID19, illicit trafficking, darknet and synthetic drugs have exacerbated the drug problem. Capacity building is key to strengthen law enforcement responses,” said Mr. Teixeira.

Director General of the Railway Protection Force, Mr. Sanjay Chander called for stronger inter-agency cooperation to counter the drug problem.

UNODC has been extending support to the capacity enhancement training for awareness and interdictions of drug trafficking and related crimes to Indian law enforcement officials over the last several years. Officials have also been extended the access to eLearning Platform of UNODC, which contains key tools and resources.

This activity contributes to SDG 3 and 16: https://sdg-tracker.org/

(Supported by Department of Revenue, Government of India)