The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has delivered a major blow to an international drug trafficking network with the seizure of approximately 160 kilograms of khat, valued at a staggering Rs 8 crore, in Bengaluru. This operation, concluded on Wednesday, marks the largest confiscation of this banned substance in Karnataka since it was declared illegal under the NDPS Act in 2018.
The Modus Operandi: Tea Parcels and Student Visas
Investigations by the federal anti-drug agency have peeled back the layers of a sophisticated global syndicate. The network smuggled the contraband khat leaves into India via a route originating from Ethiopia through Kenya. The narcotics were cleverly disguised as routine commercial shipments, often camouflaged as parcels of tea, and moved through the international postal and courier system.
Once inside the country, the syndicate utilized Bengaluru as a critical hub. The city housed storage and distribution points where the bulk consignments were broken down into smaller quantities for further circulation. Alarmingly, the network's local operations were supported by foreign nationals living in India, many under the cover of student visas and medical visas.
A Transnational Network Spanning Continents
The scale of the syndicate's operations is vast. NCB officials revealed that the same network is suspected of having sent over 550 parcels, weighing around 2,100 kg, to destinations across North America, Europe, and the Gulf and Middle Eastern countries. The bureau is now collaborating with international agencies, sharing intelligence about in-transit parcels to enable interdictions at their destinations.
This bust points to the involvement of a well-organized transnational cartel operating seamlessly across more than 20 nations, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and various Middle Eastern states. The use of multiple layers and logistical hubs in Bengaluru demonstrates a high degree of planning and coordination aimed at evading detection.
Understanding Khat: The Banned Stimulant
Khat, scientifically known as Catha edulis, is a flowering evergreen shrub native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The plant's dark green, serrated leaves contain the stimulant compounds cathinone and cathine. When chewed, these compounds produce effects similar to amphetamines, including euphoria and increased alertness.
Due to its psychoactive properties, both cathinone and cathine are listed as controlled substances. The inclusion of khat in the NDPS Act in 2018 made its possession, sale, and consumption illegal throughout India. The recent seizure in Bengaluru underscores the ongoing challenges in curbing the trafficking of this specific drug, despite the legal ban.
The sustained, intelligence-driven operation by the NCB has not only led to a significant financial and logistical setback for the drug cartel but has also exposed a critical node in their international supply chain. The investigation remains active as authorities work to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in this complex racket.
