A 2024 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report has documented substantial changes in regional drug trafficking patterns, with particular focus on pharmaceutical precursor chemicals and trafficking routes across South Asia.
In October 2024, authorities in Gujarat, India seized 518 kilograms of cocaine from a pharmaceutical company, highlighting concerns about industrial chemical diversion. The UNODC report identifies new trafficking routes and notes increased involvement of international cartels in the region.
According to a 2023 parliamentary report, substance abuse affects approximately 6.6 million individuals across the region. Healthcare professionals have reported a significant increase in addiction treatment cases. In interviews with Deutsche Welle, Dr. Yasir Rathore from Government Medical College and Dr. Sajid Mohammad Wani from SMHS Hospital Rehabilitation Center in Srinagar noted that daily heroin addiction cases have risen from 3-4 cases in 2014 to 200-250 cases in 2024.
Law enforcement agencies have identified new smuggling routes and documented an increase in illegal laboratories. The UNODC report particularly notes the discovery of a methamphetamine laboratory in Delhi with connections to international operators.
The report suggests that policy gaps and deregulation since 2014 have contributed to these trends. Industrial chemical diversion remains a significant concern, with precursor chemicals intended for legitimate pharmaceutical use being redirected to illegal drug production.
Regional diaspora communities in Europe and North America have been identified as potential distribution networks, according to the report. The UNODC emphasizes the need for enhanced international cooperation in addressing these emerging patterns.
