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Officials Say Pakistan-Linked Cartels Seek Indian Meth Labs
Indian officials say some drug cartels based in Pakistan want their contacts in India to make methamphetamine locally.
They say this plan follows drug seizures that have disrupted smuggling routes.
Officials also point to a sharp fall in opium production in Afghanistan after the Taliban’s 2022 ban.
They say cartels have increasingly turned to synthetic drugs such as meth.
A lab in Greater Noida was raided in 2024, and authorities seized 95 kilograms of meth.
Officials say Kerala and Tamil Nadu may be targets for more secret labs.
Making drugs locally could make them easier to move than bringing them across borders.
These claims and plans are described by Indian intelligence and law-enforcement officials.
Indian intelligence officials say Pakistan-based drug cartels are urging associates in India to set up methamphetamine labs.
Officials link the shift toward synthetic drugs to reduced Afghan opium production and recent drug busts in India.
Authorities seized 95 kilograms of methamphetamine from a clandestine lab in Greater Noida in 2024.
Officials say Kerala and Tamil Nadu are among the areas receiving particular attention for new labs.
They say home production could reduce reliance on smuggling routes and make it easier for Pakistan to deny involvement.
- Who
- Indian intelligence officials say Pakistan-based cartels, including networks associated with Haji Salim, are urging contacts in India to produce methamphetamine.
- What
- Officials say cartels are seeking to establish clandestine methamphetamine labs in India.
- Where
- The reported focus includes Kerala and Tamil Nadu; a lab was previously busted in Greater Noida.
- When
- The article describes a current effort and cites a Greater Noida lab bust in 2024.
- Why
- Officials say drug busts and disrupted smuggling routes have pressured cartels, while local production could reduce the risk of shipments being intercepted.
Key facts
- Greater Noida seizure
- The NCB and Delhi Police seized 95 kg of methamphetamine from a clandestine lab in 2024.
- Reported areas of focus
- Officials identify Tamil Nadu and Kerala as areas receiving particular attention.
- Afghan production
- The article says Afghan drug production fell by 95% following the 2022 ban.
- Reported strategy
- Officials say cartels are encouraging local production of synthetic drugs, particularly methamphetamine.
- Routes and markets
- Officials say recent busts affected southern Indian markets and supplies toward Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Quotes
Intelligence Bureau official
An official of India’s Intelligence Bureau commenting on cartels’ shift to local drug production.
“This has been done due to the massive drug busts that have taken place in India in recent months. The new tactic by the narcotic cartels is similar to the one that Pakistan tries to adopt when it comes to terror-related activities.”
thehansindia.com
“There is a lot of focus being given to both Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The recent drug busts have affected the southern markets and also the supplies into Sri Lanka and eventually Thailand.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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