Operation ‘Gear Box’

• 12 Sep 2022

For Prelims: Operation ‘Gear Box’

For Mains: Problem of drug abuse and related Initiatives

Why in News?

Recently, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) launched operation ‘Gear Box’ to stop heroin smuggling, seizes 39.5 kg of contraband from Kolkata port.

• The heroin was examined and seized under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

What is Operation Gear Box?

• Operation Gear Box is conducted to detect the hidden drugs in the gear boxes.
• The gears from old and used gearboxes were removed after opening them and plastic packets containing the narcotic substance were placed in the created cavity and the gearboxes were refitted to avoid detection.
  • The drug syndicate has used this unique modus operandi to conceal heroin.
• These packets were shipped concealing inside this metal scrap with other metal scrap so that it would go unnoticed by the authorities.

What about Drug Addiction in India?

• The menace of drug addiction has spread fast among the youth of India.
  • India is sandwiched between two largest Opium producing regions of the world that is the Golden triangle on one side and the Golden crescent on other.
  • The golden triangle area comprises Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos.
  • The golden crescent area includes Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.
• According to the World Drug Report 2022, India is one of the world's single largest opiate markets in terms of users and would likely be vulnerable to increased supply.
• According to the National Crime Records Bureau’s Crime in India 2020 report, a total of 59,806 cases were lodged under NDPS Act.
• According to the Social Justice Ministry and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) report on magnitude of substance use in 2019, there were:
  • 3.1 crore cannabis users (of which 25 lakhs were dependent users).
  • 2.3 crore opioid users (of which 28 lakhs were dependent users).

What are the Other Related Initiatives?

• Seizure Information Management System
• National Drug Abuse Survey
• NDPS Act,1985
• Nasha Mukt Bharat

What are the International Treaties and Conventions to Combat Drug Menace?

• India is signatory of the following International treaties and conventions to combat the menace of Drug Abuse:
  • United Nations (UN) Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961)
  • UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971)
  • UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988)
  • UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) 2000.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. India’s proximity to the two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What counter-measures should be taken to prevent the same? (2018)

Source: PIB