India Smuggling illicit Drugs World-Wide

Dr Adnan Zafar

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), has flagged India as a key source of fentanyl precursors which mostly  land in Mexico where cartels synthesize them into illicit opioids and smuggle them to elsewhere in the world. The illicit opioids is believed to be responsible for over 100,000 overdose deaths every year on an average in the US alone.

India’s burgeoning pharmaceutical industry, a global leader in generic drug production, faces growing scrutiny for its role in the export of precursor chemicals used in fentanyl production, a synthetic opioid fueling a global drug crisis. International reports, particularly from U.S. authorities, have raised concerns about the flow of chemicals like N-phenethyl-4-piperidone (NPP) and 4-anilino-N-phenethyl-4-piperidine (ANPP) from India to Mexican cartels, such as the Sinaloa Cartel and Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). While India’s regulatory framework under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act aims to curb such activities, systemic gaps in enforcement and oversight have enabled illicit networks to thrive. For Pakistan, a neighbor grappling with its own drug trafficking challenges, these developments pose significant security and diplomatic implications. This article examines India’s role in precursor exports, the regulatory challenges facilitating this trade, and its broader impact on regional stability, underscoring the need for stronger oversight to mitigate global narcotics threats.

Indian Smuggling Network of illicit Drugs

India’s pharmaceutical sector, valued at $50 billion annually, is a critical supplier of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and precursor chemicals to global markets. However, many international agencies, including. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), has flagged India as a key source of fentanyl precursors which mostly  land in Mexico where cartels synthesize them into illicit opioids and smuggle them to elsewhere in the world. The illicit opioids is believed to be responsible for over 100,000 overdose deaths every year on an average in the US alone. Chemicals like NPP and ANPP, essential for fentanyl production, are produced legally in India for medicinal purposes but are reportedly diverted to illicit networks through mislabeled shipments or unregulated firms. Mexican cartels have capitalized on India’s industrial hubs, particularly in states like Gujarat and Maharashtra, to procure these precursors. Reports suggest that front companies, often posing as legitimate exporters, facilitate shipments to Mexico, misdeclaring chemicals as “industrial solvents” or “food additives” to evade detection. The DEA has noted a surge in such exports since 2020, with India’s lax oversight enabling small-scale manufacturers to bypass export controls. Unlike China, which tightened precursor regulations in 2019, India’s fragmented regulatory system struggles to monitor its thousands of pharmaceutical units, many operating in loosely regulated industrial zones. Criminal syndicates, including remnants of historical networks and newer groups, are believed to coordinate with local intermediaries to streamline this trade. These networks exploit India’s global trade connectivity, using ports like Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port for bulk shipments. Smaller consignments reportedly travel through air cargo, concealed in commercial goods, highlighting the sophistication of smuggling operations. While India has cooperated with international law enforcement, seizing 23,000 kg of precursors in 2023, the scale of the trade suggests deeper systemic issues, raising questions about enforcement efficacy. India’s regulatory framework under the NDPS Act classifies substances like acetic anhydride and piperidine as controlled precursors, requiring strict licensing and monitoring. However, enforcement remains inconsistent, particularly in state-managed industrial zones. Gujarat, a hub for chemical manufacturing, has faced criticism for inadequate oversight of state-owned enterprises, where bulk sales of precursors reportedly occur without rigorous checks. Similarly, industrial areas in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh host small-scale factories that exploit regulatory loopholes, producing precursors for both legitimate and illicit markets. Weak coordination between central and state authorities exacerbates these challenges.

Incapacity and incompetence of Indian anti-Narcotics Agency

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), India’s primary anti-drug agency, lacks the resources to monitor thousands of chemical firms, relying heavily on state police and regulatory bodies. Reports indicate that local oversight often fails to verify export licenses or inspect shipments, allowing misdeclared cargo to reach international markets. The absence of real-time tracking systems for precursor chemicals, unlike in developed economies, further complicates enforcement efforts. Allegations of oversight failures have also surfaced, with international observers noting that regulatory agencies sometimes issue certifications without due diligence. This enables illicit networks to operate under the guise of legitimate trade, undermining India’s commitments to global anti-narcotics frameworks like the UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs. While India has taken steps to strengthen controls, such as increasing NCB funding in 2024, systemic gaps persist, posing challenges to curbing the precursor trade.

Implications of Indian illicit drugs on Pakistan

For Pakistan, India’s role in fentanyl precursor exports carries significant security implications, given its proximity and ongoing struggle with drug trafficking. The Afghan-Pakistan border, a conduit for heroin and methamphetamine, faces increased pressure from synthetic drugs, with precursor chemicals potentially fueling regional illicit markets. Pakistani authorities, already combating groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), view the spillover of India’s regulatory failures as a threat to national security, exacerbating cross-border crime. The broader regional impact extends to global narcotics networks, as Mexico’s cartels leverage India’s precursors to flood markets in North America and Europe. This illicit trade undermines stability in South Asia, where drug revenues can finance insurgent activities, a concern for Pakistan given its counter terrorism efforts. Diplomatically, in the past Pakistan has raised these issues in forums like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), urging India to strengthen its regulatory framework to prevent regional destabilization. India’s challenges also strain its international relations, particularly with the US, which has pressed New Delhi to align with global anti-narcotics efforts. The lack of robust enforcement risks perceptions of India as a weak link in the global supply chain, potentially affecting trade partnerships. For Pakistan, this presents an opportunity to advocate for regional cooperation, emphasizing shared security interests to counter the narcotics threat.

India’s role in the export of fentanyl precursors highlights a critical gap in its regulatory framework, enabling illicit networks to supply Mexican cartels which is threatening global security. Systemic challenges, from weak oversight to fragmented enforcement, undermine India’s efforts to curb this illegal trade. For Pakistan, the spillover effects pose direct security risks, amplifying the need for regional cooperation. Strengthening India’s NDPS Act enforcement, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and adopting real-time tracking systems are essential to address these gaps. As a key player in global pharmaceuticals, India must balance its economic ambitions with its responsibility to prevent illicit precursor flows and must ensure the stability in South Asia by undertaking emergency measures to curb the smuggling of illicit drugs.

Dr Adnan Zafar, is a freelance writer and Open Source Analyst specializing in geopolitical and security issues. His work focuses on South Asian dynamics, drawing on extensive research to provide nuanced insights into regional challenges.