Guwahati: BRICS nations must build a rapid and secure intelligence-sharing alliance to counter transnational drug trafficking, director general of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Anurag Garg said on Monday, stressing that real-time information exchange and cross-border trust are essential to dismantling global narcotics networks.Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies meeting in Guwahati, Garg urged members to move beyond localised policing and adopt a coordinated maritime strategy to protect international sea routes from drug smuggling.He said drug trafficking has become more sophisticated and fast-evolving, turning what was once a local challenge into a global threat.“The reality of 21st-century drug trafficking is stark:Criminal networks do not respect borders, they do not recognise sovereignty, and they do not wait for bureaucratic clearances. Jurisdiction-less crimes demand entirely jurisdiction-less efforts, and to defeat these syndicates, our law enforcement agencies must operate with a level of agility, mutual trust, and seamless, real-time cooperation that cuts through traditional barriers,” Garg said, leading the Indian delegation.He said stronger international collaboration is “no longer a policy choice but an absolute necessity for collective survival”.Outlining the meeting’s agenda, Garg said discussions were structured around emerging threats, including the use of Darknet platforms and digital technologies, the rise of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), and steps to prevent diversion of precursor chemicals, alongside a dedicated session on maritime trafficking.“We have specifically focused our efforts on the areas that are rapidly changing the face of drug enforcement. To address this, we will dive deep into specialised sessions targeting the exploitation of Darknet platforms and digital technologies, the alarming rise of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), and the critical need to prevent the diversion of precursor chemicals. Furthermore, we have dedicated a crucial, standalone session to maritime trafficking,” Garg said.He warned that illicit drugs from source countries are increasingly being shipped in large quantities via global maritime routes to markets worldwide.To deepen cooperation, Garg proposed a BRICS Virtual Working Group to track and respond to shifting trafficking trends through regular meetings, real-time intelligence sharing, analysis of patterns, and coordinated enforcement operations.Reaffirming India’s stance, Garg said the country is pursuing a zero-tolerance policy to dismantle trafficking networks while treating addiction victims with compassion.
