Why is it in the news?

• The International Narcotics Control Board Annual Report 2023 highlights the pivotal role of the internet in facilitating both drug trafficking and usage.

Role of Internet in Drug Trafficking

• The internet has significantly increased the availability of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and related chemicals on illicit markets globally.
• Cryptomarkets, accessible on the deep web, provide a platform for wholesale drug trade, offering anonymity and safety to sellers and buyers.
• Social media platforms are increasingly used as local marketplaces for drug trafficking, with inappropriate content often accessible to vulnerable demographics such as children and adolescents.
• Internet pharmacies and telemedicine pose risks to patient safety by enabling the sale of drugs without proper prescriptions, leading to potential misuse and abuse.
• The global trade in illicit pharmaceuticals is estimated to be worth $4.4 billion, highlighting the significant scale of the issue.

Challenges Posed by Internet to Drug Control

• Encrypted communication methods employed on the internet present challenges for law enforcement agencies in prosecuting online trafficking offenses, as they hinder the interception of communications.
• Offenders exploit regions with lax law enforcement regulations to conduct drug trafficking activities, leveraging the global reach of the internet to evade extradition and legal consequences.
• The proliferation of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids on online platforms exacerbates the drug trafficking problem, contributing to the opioid crisis in various parts of the world.

Recommendations

• Utilize online platforms effectively to prevent the non-medical use of drugs and raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse through educational campaigns and interventions.
• Formulate and enforce legislation and policies aimed at prosecuting illegal marketplaces operating on social media platforms, ensuring accountability and deterrence.
• Implement real-time counter-trafficking tools and technologies to develop actionable intelligence against traffickers exploiting e-commerce services, enabling law enforcement agencies to disrupt drug trafficking networks effectively.